He was a simple man, always a gentleman, with old-fashioned values of God, country and honesty. He loved his family, though he sometimes had difficulty communicating those feelings.
He enjoyed eating and never failed to express appreciation for whatever was placed before him, even if it was a carry-out pizza. The only food he refused to eat was turkey tetrazzini, which he said his ex-wife, Margaret had once made an industrial-sized quantity of and it showed up for many meals in succession. So he was over it!
Tommy considered himself a Texan, having migrated to the Lone Star State from Indianapolis, Indiana in the family car when he was eight years old along with his father, mother, brother and their dog Bouncer, in search of a kinder climate.
He remembered the restaurant his parents operated on Lake Austin Blvd, where the Lyndon Johnson family was known to drop by. Later at the death of LBJ, Tommy served as part of his Honor Guard.
He enjoyed a wholesome farm life on Old Manor Road, where the family coexisted with horses, dogs, pigs and each other. They attended Hyde Park Christian Church on 45th Street, where Tommy made many lifetime friends, and where he met his first wife, Margaret Barker.
After graduating from Austin High School, he joined the United States Naval Reserves, from which he retired in 1992 with a rank of Chief Boatswain Mate after 38 years.
His first job was in banking, with Austin National Bank, where he started as a teller and eventually became manager of the branch bank at Bergstrom Air Force Base, retiring as Assistant Vice President in 1985 after 30 years. One of his employees was John Hinkley, the University of Texas Sniper, whom Tommy described as always seeming quiet and cooperative.
His second career was with the Texas State Department of Insurance, where he served as Examination Coordinator, retiring after 15 years in 2003.
He enjoyed many years of golf at the Georgetown Country Club and later at Terra Vista in Round Rock. He liked hunting with family and RVing. He was proud of his yard and enjoyed a friendly competition with the neighbors. He was a past member of the Masonic Lodge of Austin No. 12 AF & AM and the Ben Hur Shrine.
Tommy was predeceased by his parents, Robert and Grace Brown, his brother Gale Brown and wife, Pat Brown.
Survivors include his wife, Jacquelyn Worden Brown of 36 years; his daughter, Paula Hayden and husband Michael Hayden; son, Craig Brown, and stepdaughter, Heidi Krueger; grandchildren Jill Peterson and husband Jack Peterson; Jana Hayden; Jeffrey Hayden and wife, Natalie Hayden; Hunter Brown; and great grandchildren Caydence, Avery and Declan Hayden.
Memorials may be sent to Round Rock Presbyterian Church or to a charity of your choice.
No service is planned, but hopefully when you remember Tommy it will bring a smile to your face.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.cookwaldencapitalparks.com for the Brown family.
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