Jeffrey Thomas Brown

Jeff was born in Columbus, Indiana but lived in many states through the years. Following graduation from Plano Senior High School in 1978, he joined the Air Force in 1979 where he served at Ramstein Air Base and McGuire AFB until he was honorably discharged in 1983. Jeff attended Indiana University and graduated in 1986.

Jeff started working in the trucking industry in 1986 and worked for many truck lines through the years. Carolina Freight, Spartan Express, Roadway Regional Group, OTR, Celadon & Morgan Driveaway. In 2003 he decided to pursue owning his own business and bought CertaPro Painters of East TN. He dedicated himself to building the business and he consistently ranked among the top performing franchises by living by the motto to always deliver an extraordinary experience. He enjoyed a brotherly bond with his flight group buds and always had stories to tell after their quarterly meetings. Jeff retired in 2021. Jeff loved traveling especially the family vacations to the beach and his trips to Maui. He always had time for his friends and enjoyed all their visits.

Jeff was a member of All Saints Catholic Church in Knoxville where he was also a Fourth-Degree member of the Knights of Columbus.

He is survived by his loving wife, Joann Brown; his son, Taylor Brown of Columbus, OH; stepson, Danny Walsh of Kansas City, MO, and two grandchildren, Myles & Kayla Walsh of Kansas City, MO; parents, Tom & Shirley Brown of Columbus, IN and sister, Kristen Brown of Lacey WA.

The family wants to thank Jeff’s dedicated caregiver, Tom Webb, who took a leave of absence to take care of Jeff. His energy and smile every day were sometimes the best medicine for all of us.

Visitation will be Friday, September 6, 2024 from 4:00 to 6:30 p.m. with a speaker to follow at Berry Highland Memorial, located at 5315 Kingston Pike, Knoxville, TN 37919. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held the following day, Saturday, September 7, 2024, at 11:30 a.m. at All Saints Catholic Church, 620 N. Cedar Bluff Rd. Knoxville, TN 37923. Jeff will be laid to rest at Resurrection Cemetery, 5001 NE Cookingham Rd, Kansas City, MO 64156 on Saturday, September 14, 2024, at 10:30 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions be made to MD Anderson or the Wounded Warrior Project.