Andrew Clay Brown Sr., 84, of Dunlap, Tennessee, died Wednesday, February 22, 2017 at Memorial Hospital.
Andrew was born in Dunlap, TN, on May 16, 1932 and grew up in the Sequatchie Valley where he graduated from Sequatchie County High School and was a member of the school's first football team. He was a member of New Hope Cumberland Presbyterian Church. He joined the Air Force in 1951 and retired as Master Sergeant after serving 20 plus years with distinction during the Korean War and Vietnam War. He was awarded the Air Medal with Oak Leaf Clusters for exceptional airmanship in sustained operations against enemy installations. He also earned the National Defense Service Medal, United Nations Service Medal, Korean Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal and Good Conduct Medal. Andrew and his family are very proud of his service to his country. Andrew was a past Master Mason with the Marquette Lodge 101 F. & A.M. Also, he was an Ahmed Temple Shrine Scottish Rite and White Shrine of Jerusalem York Rite and a member of the Guam Veterans of Foreign Wars, The American Legion, Oddfellows and a Scout Master for his son's troops. He was also a clown when the Shriner Circus come to town. He was a loving husband and father to his children, as well as a doting grandfather. Andrew hosted a family get together every 4th of July rivaling any in the county, sparing no expense. He enjoyed showing the younger children how to shoot bottle rockets and fire crackers. His apple pies were well loved with the family and asked for at the family get-togethers.
Andrew was preceded in death by his wife, Ava Yvonne Brown; son, Howard Arthur Brown; parents, Hirskle Arthur Brown and Millie Bond Brown; sisters, Ila Marie Goodson, Dortha Isabell Hendon, Mary Esther Ethiredge and Eddie Columbus Kroll; and brothers, Gilbert Leroy Brown, David Sevier Brown, and Chester Arthur Brown.
He is survived by his daughters, Rena May Brooks, Janet Rae Brown and Sharon Teresa Eis (George Kozma); son, Andrew Clay Brown Jr.; sisters, Josephine Nellie Higdon, Shirley Brown Wilson and Anna Louise Varner; 11 grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held Sunday, February 26 at 2 p.m. CST in the funeral home chapel with Pastor Jeremy Byrd officiating. Burial will be in Hoodenpyle Cemetery with military honors provided by Sequatchie Valley Honor Guard.
Online condolences can be made at www.reedfamilyfh.com. Arrangements are by Standefer-Reed Funeral Home, 50 May Road, Dunlap, where family will receive friends Saturday, February 25 from 4-8 p.m. CST and Sunday, February 26 from 12 p.m. until service time.