Mr. Browning was born on April 22, 1940 in Carrolton, MS to his parents, Rebecca J. Brandon Browning and James Douglas Browning. Mr. Browning honorably served in the United States’ Airforce for 4 years of Active Duty and 2 years in the Reserve. He was stationed many places, including Oklahoma, Wyoming, Quemoy (which is now Taiwan) to build an air strip for our military, which he did valiantly while under fire from the Chinese. He was then stationed in Thule, Greenland where sub-zero temperatures were a daily struggle. Following his time serving our Country, Mr. Browning attended University of Memphis, and was later accepted into the GMC Training School for auto mechanics. Several years later, he began working for Joe and Peggy Lunati at Lunati Cams & Cranks, where he served as general manager until his retirement. Mr. Browning deeply cherished his friendship with the Lunati’s that he maintained for the remainder of his lifetime.
Mr. Browning was an extremely good man and loyal friend to all who knew him. He was a kind and loving husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He had a humor that could not be matched. He was referred to as a true southern gentleman by his friends at his church in Rossville, TN. Mr. Browning enjoyed many hobbies throughout his life. He loved golfing, fishing, hunting (especially pheasant hunting in Nebraska), and attending University of Memphis football and basketball games as he was a true blue Memphis Tiger fan through and through. Mr. Browning truly enjoyed traveling. He was an avid drag racer, and loved traversing the country to watch racing of all kinds, while making many enduring friendships along the way. He often talked about his special memories of the gulf coast beaches with Faye, Chris, and Angie, of trips all over the United States with his “racing buddies,” of the Cayman Islands with his dear friends, Rita and Willard Sparks, and his time on the Disney Cruise with Barbara, Lacey, Chase and Sydney, as well as many other memorable vacations he took during his time on this earth.
Mr. Browning was predeceased in death by both parents, as well as his grandfather, Samuel Marcus Brandon and his grandmother, Emma Cynthia Brandon (“Maw Maw”), whom he loved very much and lived with in Memphis, TN during many of his grade school years. Mr. Browning was also predeceased by his high school sweetheart and beloved wife of 44 years, Patricia Faye Browning, and his son, Christopher Lynn Browning, as well as his daughter-in-law, Carrie Lynn Richardson Browning.
Mr. Browning is survived by his present devoted and loving wife, Barbara B. Adair Browning of Collierville, TN, a daughter, Angela Lea Browning Qualls and her husband, Robert “Bobby” Qualls of Bartlett, TN, and a step-daughter, Lacey L. Adair Bishop of Collierville, TN. He leaves seven grandchildren: Beau Bradley Browning (Katie), Mary Bailey Browning, James Brady Browning (Ashley), Matthew Carter Qualls, Kyle Robert Qualls (Jessica), Chase Brayden Bishop, and Sydney Ann Bishop. He also leaves ten great-grandchildren: Jacob Tabb Browning, Dylan Bradley Browning, Beau Claire Browning, John Wesley Browning, Brylie Katherine Browning, Bentley Rowe Browning, James Baylor Browning, Greta Grace Browning, Greenlee Kate Browning, and Zella Faye Qualls. Mr. Browning leaves behind many extended family members that include cousins, nephews, nieces, sisters-in-law, and brothers-in-law. Mr. Browning was also predeceased in death by his precious fur babies Bernie and Jazzy.
A gathering of family and friends will be held on Thursday, November 30, 2023 at 1:00 p.m. at Family Funeral Care located at 4925 Summer Avenue, Memphis, TN 38122 with the Celebration of Life service beginning at 2:00 p.m. Immediately following will be a military service at his place of rest at Forest Hill Funeral Home & Cemetery located at 1661 Elvis Presley Boulevard, Memphis, TN 38106.
The family requests that any memorials or donations be sent to: The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF), the National Kidney Foundation, or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. The family also wants to thank and acknowledge the entire dedicated staff for the compassion and care he was given while a resident at the Tennessee State Veterans’ Home.
