Phillip Lowell Brown

Phillip Lowell Brown, a resident of Napa since 1973, died on December 5, 2014 at the age of 80 from complications resulting from Parkinson's disease. He was born on October 16, 1934 in Valley Center, Kansas. Leaving school and the family farm to work in the oil fields of the West, he received a draft notice in 1952 and promptly enlisted in the United States Navy so as to avoid being drafted into the Army. In the Navy, he served on the destroyer USS Rogers (DD-876) and four aircraft carriers: the USS Saratoga (CV-60), USS Independence (CV-62), USS Enterprise (CVN-65, and the USS Ranger (CV-61). In the early 1970's he transferred to Vallejo for his final tour of duty, where he served as a Navy recruiter. He remained in the Navy until he retired as an Operations Specialist Chief Petty Officer on May 9, 1975, after twenty three years of faithful service. He was also a lifelong member of Vallejo Branch 8 of the Fleet Reserve Association, serving at one time as the Branch president. After his naval career he worked for Mare Island Naval Shipyard as a welder while using his G.I. Bill money to obtain certification as a flight instructor. Subsequently he worked for Bridgeford Flying Service (now the Napa Jet Center), located at the Napa County Airport. He eventually became Bridgeford's Chief Pilot and Flight Instructor. Leaving Bridgeford, he was an owner and manager for several years of San Joaquin Propeller Service in Stockton. He also flew for many years as the corporate pilot for Napa's Nova Group, Inc. and he also worked as a contract flight instructor. He is survived by his wife Sharon of Sebastopol whom he met in Oakland when he was stationed at Naval Station Treasure Island and Sharon worked for AT&T in Oakland. He is also survived by three of his five children, Steven, Diana, and David, and his granddaughter Marena. He was predeceased by his eldest son Kenneth and his eldest daughter Kathleen. He is also survived by his three fur babies (dogs) Daisy, Sadie, and Molly. They were great company to him. Donations in his memory may be made to the Fleet Reserve Association, Branch 8 in Vallejo. Service: Napa, CA No services are planned.

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Phillip Lowell Brown

October 16, 1934 - December 5, 2014