John D. Brown, Sr., 86, of Gahanna, Ohio, passed away Saturday, July 19, 2014.

John was born in Ledford, Illinois, and grew up mostly in southern Illinois and southeast Tennessee, the son of the late Henry Brown and Nancy (David Henson) Morrow.

He was lso preceded in death by his son, John Brown, Jr., and three brothers, Therschel, Herschel, and Laverne Brown.

John was a man who was very proud of his country and the service he gave to his country. At a young age he enlisted in the U.S. Navy where he served during WWII. He later enlisted in the U.S. Army then Air Force where he worked as an Air Policeman and retired earning the rank of Staff Sergeant.

After retirement, John began working with National Standard Steel and Wire where he worked his way up through the ranks and retired working in the laboratory. John was a man who believed that life was something to be lived. He had an outgoing personality and never met a stranger.

In addition, John was also an avid coin, stamp, and baseball card collector.

He will be greatly missed by his loving wife of over 60 years, Ora Brown; sons, Michael (Rhonda) and David Brown; grandchildren, Joshua, Jarrod, Jason, Ryan, and Jonathan Brown, and Michelle (Nick) Seiler, and Shannon Nichole Pritchard; great-grandchildren, Skyler, Reagan, Conner, Arianna, Allexis, and Shelby Brown, RyLee and MarLee Seiler, and C.J., Caitlyn, and Cayson Pritchard; and other extended family members and dear friends.

A memorial service will be held at 6 p.m. Tuesday, July 22, 2014, at Schoedinger Northeast Chapel, 1051 E. Johnstown Rd., where family will receive friends from 5 p.m. until time of service. To share memories or condolences, please visit www.schoedinger.com.