Thomas S Brown, Sr.

Thomas S. Brown Sr. age 79 of Bad Axe died peacefully Friday morning, October 11, 2024 at his home while under hospice care.

He was born April 27, 1945 in Bridgeport, CT to the late Robert and Ann (Koch) Brown and moved to Florida in his youth. Tom graduated from Boone High School, Orlando, FL in 1963 and enlisted in the army that same year.  After serving, he attended Seminole Junior College receiving a degree in drafting and engineering. He began his career at Martin Marietta Engineering, Orlando and later went to work for General Dynamics.  Along with his work career, he furthered his education by going to the Police Academy in Florida. He then worked part time with the Florida Highway Patrol, the Seminole Co. Sheriff Dept. and several years with the Bad Axe P.D. after settling in Bad Axe in the early 80’s.

On March 6, 1971, he married the love of his life, Sylvia Nicholson in Longwood, FL.   Working at General Dynamics on government contracts, he was required to travel all over the country.

Tom was an active member of the Bad Axe Free Methodist Church and avid hunter and sportsman. Although he enjoyed hunting, his claim to fame was that he killed more deer with his car than he did with his rifle, to the point of putting a sticker of a deer on his car for each road kill. He was also a self-taught gunsmith, from repair to rebuild or modify and redesign.  Leather work was another one of his talents, belts, holsters, knife sheaths or any other leather article. But the most important thing in his life was his wife, children and grandchildren.

Surviving are his wife, Sylvia; son, Thomas Jr. (Shantell) of Schriever, LA; daughter, Shanna (Chad) Lathwell of Oak Park; grandchildren, Bobby, Tommy, Josh, Devyn, Jolie, Gaven, Isaac, Avery, Chris and Alex and son-in-law, Brian Rockefeller of Ubly and several nieces and nephews. Preceding him, were a daughter, Terri Rockefeller and his brother, Bob Brown.

Funeral services will be 11:00 AM Friday, October 18, at the Bad Axe Free Methodist Church. Friends may call at the Champagne Funeral Chapel from 5 to 8 PM Thursday and at the church after 10 AM Friday.

Memorials may be given to the family discretionary fund.