Madison Thomas Brown III

Madison Thomas Brown, III, a proud Vietnam veteran and resident of Henderson, Nevada, passed away on July 19, 2023, after a complicated prolonged hospital stay. Tom, Tommy, or “Too Tall” as he was known to friends and family, was born January 3, 1947, in New York City, New York, to Madison and Gertrude (Stokes) and graduated from Samuel J. Tilden High School, Brooklyn, in 1964 before enlisting in the United States Air Force. In high school, he was captain of the football team, class president, and member of the Board of Governors. Tom began his military career in 1965 with the 36th Tactical Fighter Wing at Bitburg AB in Germany. He served three tours in Vietnam from 1970 to 1975.

Tom was then stationed at Beale AFB, California; RAF Upper Heyford, England; MacDill AFB, Florida; and back to England at RAF Croughton. He retired as a Senior Master Sergeant from Wurtsmith AFB, Michigan, having served 26 years in the Air Force in the field of Intelligence. Tom met his wife Ria while stationed in England. The two had previously been married but took the plunge again in 1980. Tom had no children of his own but instantly became a father of three when he married Ria. Her children remember attending base airshows, football games, and family drives in the “Buccaneer” van listening to Motown hits on Tom’s 8-track.

He especially loved music and singing along to his favorite songs. The music tastes of his stepchildren today were shaped by many hours spent listening to his favorite “jams.” Tom listened to and read the news daily. He was often found eating his dinner while watching the news. He also enjoyed war documentaries and nature shows. During his time in England, Tom became a 32nd Degree Freemason. He taught moral and ethical lessons and principles of brotherly love, and he instructed young members to “treat not others in ways that you yourself would find hurtful.” After retiring from the military, Tom and his wife Ria moved to Henderson, Nevada, in 1991, where he worked for the United States Post Office for 18 years. Tom enjoyed spending time in the company of friends and neighbors, warming himself outside in the sun, reading his newspapers, and enjoying the companionship of his dog Gidget.

Tom is survived by his wife Maria of 43 years; sisters Debra Bandstra and Lisa Brown; daughter Dorien Oliver, grandchildren Kimer, Isha, Rayna, Elise, Stephanie, Natalie, Stephen, and Spencer; son Daniel Boyer, grandsons Ethan and Ross; son Thomas Boyer, grandchildren Lacey and Mason; and three great-grandchildren. His family has organized a memorial service to honor Tom’s life and military service, which will be held at Southern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Boulder City on August 31, 2023, at 12:00 pm. Following the service, there will be a Celebration of Life at the American Legion on Van Wagenen in Henderson at 1:00 pm.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.palmboulderhighway.com for the Brown family.