James Ray Brown passed away peacefully on December 3, 2015, in Saint Augustine, Florida surrounded by his loving family. He was 91. Born March 23, 1924, in Kenton County, Kentucky, he was the son of the late Milo William and Lacey (nee Hatcher) Brown. He spent his early childhood with his grandmother and grandfather Hatcher. He married his first wife Jean Bennett in 1943. Their first daughter, Barbara was born in 1944. James joined the United States Navy, his service included battle stars from three major engagements. Before the Pearl Harbor attack, he was on hand at Casablanca. He was on a ship at sea when Pearl Harbor was bombed. He served on the USS Berkley, which included hand-to-hand combat. While, aboard USS Augusta, he was an Honor Guard for Winston Churchill when he met with President Roosevelt at the signing of the Atlantic Charter. He married his second wife, Eileen Chisman, in 1957, in Lawrenceburg, Indiana. They moved and resided in Shelbyville, Indiana and celebrated three children, Jeffrey Brown, Lynda Dunaway, and Julie Kowler. After the war, he graduated from Butler University, Indianapolis, Indian from the study of communication. His career was launched in Indiana at the start by announcing sports such as the famous Indiana basketball teams to races at the Indianapolis 500 Speedway. His celebrity interviews include Bob Hope, Jerry Lewis, Bing Crosby's wife, and actress Kathy. He later opened and operated a broadcasting and modeling agency in Evansville, Indiana, where his company and students created ads for companies such as Westinghouse. He later moved into General Manager positions in several radio stations throughout the United States, including Virginia, North Carolina, and more finally owning a station in Gainesville, Florida, where he later retired. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his older sister, Dorothy Sarras, and younger brother, Larry Brown. He is survived by four children, ten grandchildren, and five great- grandchildren. Interment will follow St. Joseph Cemetery - Old in Cincinnati, Ohio. To share a memory of James or leave a special message for the Brown family, please click the Share Button below. Walker Funeral Home of Cincinnati is serving the Brown family.

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