James Brown

General James (Jim) F. Brown was born, December 5, 1937 in Birmingham, Alabama and passed this world on March 12, 2018. He graduated from Phillips High School, Birmingham, Alabama, in 1956 and attended Jacksonville State University. General Brown began his military career by enlisting in the Alabama Air National Guard in April of 1955. Upon completion of Basic Military Training he was assigned to the 117th Transportation Squadron as apprentice vehicle operator. In October 1962, General Brown received a direct commission as Second Lieutenant. In February 1963, he was transferred to the 106th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron and entered Undergraduate Pilot Training at Webb Air Force Base, Texas in March 1963. During this period, General Brown was selected as the pilot who would log the 10,000th hour with the T-38A fleet. He received his wings in March 1964 and returned to the 106th as a line pilot in the RF-84F. He became a full time Guardsman in October 1965. In 1971 the unit converted to the RF-4C. General Brown attended the Tactical Reconnaissance Conversion Course at Mountain Home AFB, Idaho, and subsequently became the first Guardsman to log 1,000 flying hours in the RF-4C. .He rose through the ranks to the position of Wing Commander of the 117th Tactical Reconnaissance Wing and was promoted to Brigadier General in May 1991. In September 1993, he was assigned to State Headquarters as Commander, Alabama Air National Guard where he attained the rank of Major General. He retired on October 1, 1996 with 42 years of service to our nation. Additionally, General Brown was a Command Pilot with over 5,7OO flying hours of which more than 3,700 are in the RF-4C. During his career, he has flown the RF-84F, RF-4C, C-47, T38A, C-131D, T-37B and U-3A. General Brown was a member of the National Guard Association of the United States and Alabama; The Enlisted National Guard Association of the United States and Alabama; Air Force Association; Past Chairman, Greater Birmingham Aviation Safety Committee; The American Legion; Zamora Shrine Temple; Past Master Wahouma Masonic Lodge #763. He was preceded in death by, his first wife, Glenda T. Brown, his parents, E. Grafton and Momie Lee Brown of Palmerdale, AL, and his brother, Ralph A. Brown of Wilsonville, AL. He is survived by his spouse, Deb Brown, his daughters, Kim Preston (Randy) of Trussville, AL, Kristi Muse (Greg) of Winterboro, AL; three grandsons, Wade Preston (Megan), Steve Preston, Rhett Muse; two granddaughters, Raine Preston and Storme Muse; two great grandchildren Wesley Anne and Amelia Preston; his nephew, Bain Brown (V.J.) and their daughters Jessica Peace (Alan) and son Leland James Peace, and Jordan Brown. Funeral Services will be held on Thursday at 10am with burial in Jefferson Memorial Gardens East. Visitation will be from 5 until 7pm Wednesday. Pallbearers will be Stanley Burger, Ben F. Robinson, Jr., Fred Glover, Bobby Wood, John D. Park, Jimmy Morton, Don Sperring (dec), Sidney M. Carroll (dec), Ralph A. Brown (dec). In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Palmerdale Volunteer Fire Dept., The Greater Birmingham Humane Society, and the Shriner's Burn Hospital.