James Daniel Brown

James Daniel “Dan” Brown, 77, of Greer, beloved husband of Verna Brown, passed away Wednesday, August 17, 2022.

Born on April 1, 1945 at home in Mudsoc, Ohio to the late Faye and John Brown.

Dan, a lifelong Methodist, was a member of Advent United Methodist Church where he served as a trustee and a greeter, generously sharing his willing spirit, warm smile, and open heart.

Growing up on a small tobacco farm in the rolling hills of southeastern Ohio, Dan walked to his two-room schoolhouse, enjoyed listening to The Lone Ranger on the family radio, played baseball behind CB Drummonds general store, and spent summers baling hay for neighbors. He enjoyed playing basketball with his brothers in an old barn they converted into a makeshift gymnasium.

At the county fair when Dan was 15 years old, he met a girl with a ponytail swinging to her waist, Verna Lou, the love of his life and bride of 56 years. The two were married February 19, 1966. Dan soon spread his wings, enlisting in the United States Air Force where he proudly served as a navigator on C130 Hercules cargo planes during the Vietnam War. After his service to our country, he worked at Proctor and Gamble in Cincinnati for 10 years. Dan took up cycling with his friends in the late 1970s, participating in multiple tours. Some of the tours involved riding 100 miles one day, camping overnight, and cycling another 100 miles.

In 1980, after being inspired by a neighbor, Dan moved his family to Greenville, SC, to work for Michelin Tire Corporation as an electrical engineer. He was always up for a challenge and adventure, in 1989, Dan relocated his family to Clermont-Ferrand, France and they traveled throughout Europe. Dan’s work took him all over the United States as well as multiple other countries including Belgium, Germany, Canada, and Romania.

He was often found on the sidelines of the soccer field, baseball diamond, and golf course cheering on his children (and later his beloved grandchildren). Dan loved coaching Little League, church basketball, and youth soccer. He loved dogs; and was maybe happiest with a new Springer Spaniel puppy at his side. Above all, his greatest joy was the time he spent as “Poppy” to his four adoring grandchildren.

Ever the fixer, Dan could plumb a bathroom, wire a house, repair any large appliance, clear out a flooded basement, rebuild a Volvo car engine, build bookshelves, or even a skateboard quarterpipe. He would do anything for his family and loved sharing his knowledge with his children and grandchildren: their victories were his.

Known for his humor and ease, Dan enjoyed telling stories, sharing his dreams, talking politics, watching and playing golf, traveling with his wife, and annual family trips to Litchfield Beach.

In addition to his loving wife of 56 years, he is survived by his children, Andrew Brown, Brandon Brown (Sally Sue), and Beth Ables (Matthew); his grandchildren, Sarah Campbell Brown, Daniel Brown, Silas Ables, and Nola Ables; his brothers, John and Don Brown; and sisters, Bonnie Tabor and Donna Brown; as well as multiple nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his older brother, Wayne “Dennis” Brown.

A celebration of life service will be held Saturday, August 27, 2022, at 1:00 p.m. at Advent United Methodist Church.

Memorials may be made to Advent United Methodist Church 2258 Woodruff Road Simpsonville, SC 29681.

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