John D. Brown

John Dudley Brown, 91, passed away on February 18, 2025. He was born on July 12, 1933, in Nashville, Tennessee to the late John Lillard Brown and Myrtle Randall Brown. He was a graduate of Hume Fogg High School.

After graduation, John enlisted in the Air Force and served as a radio operator in North Africa during the Korean War. After completing his military service, John married the love of his life for 67 years, Betty Frances Penick. They were married on base in California and moved to East Nashville, where they added son Steven and daughter Kathy to the family. John began a career as an electrician with Stansell Electric and Travis Electric. In 1968, the family moved to Hendersonville, where they were long time members of Hendersonville Church of Christ.

John had a lifelong love of books and music. He enjoyed photography, camping, and riding his motorcycle with friends. He loved the outdoors, and he loved his family.

John is preceded in death by his wife Betty, son Steven D. Brown, along with daughter-in-law Dana Brown, step-grandson Rickie Brooks, parents John and Myrtle Brown, and sisters Dorothy Grant, Marie Irwin, and Susie Willene Biggs. He is survived by daughter Kathy L. (Bob) Shannon; granddaughters Roxanne Nicole Vaughn, Rebecca Shannon, and Robyn Shannon; great grandchildren Bryce Bullard and Sebastian Bullard, and numerous nieces, nephews and extended family.

A visitation will be held on Tuesday, February 25, 2025, from 11am-1pm at Hendersonville Funeral Home. The funeral service will begin at 1pm in the Chapel at the funeral home with burial to follow at Hendersonville Memory Gardens.