Arthur Ray Brown

Arthur Ray Brown, age 75, passed peacefully in his sleep on Sunday, June 12, 2022 surrounded by his family after battling years of ALS and Cancer.

A graveside service with Full Military Honors will be held 12:30 PM Friday, June 17, 2022 at Ft. Mitchell National Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 5:00-7:00 PM Thursday, June 16, 2022 at McMullen Funeral Home and Crematory, 3874 Gentian Blvd. Columbus, GA 31907.

Arthur “Ray” Brown was born in Chattanooga, Tennessee on January 14, 1947 to Augusta Blanton and Erwin Brown. He was raised in Bakewell, Soddy Daisy, Tennessee until age 17 when he joined the United States Army and spent 21 years honorably serving his country. He was stationed all over the world to include Germany, South Korea and a year fighting in the Vietnam War earning him a Purple Heart after being shot. Nothing made him more proud than the time he served and you were guaranteed a story or two every time you saw him.

In 1972, Ray met and married the love of his life Patsy Brown where they spent the next 50 years traveling, building a home, raising children, grand children and great grand children together. He loved the outdoors and made sure each of them knew how to cast a fishing pole, set up a tent and build a campfire at a very young age. Other than his family, his loves included animals of any kind. He would always meet his wife at the door with a pocket full of puppies he found while deer hunting, a baby pig while hog hunting, goats, ferrets, flying squirrels etc. But nothing, and I mean nothing made him happier than sitting in a boat, fishing and drinking an ice cold beer.

Anyone who knew Ray would say he never met a stranger and would quickly give the shirt off his back and his last dollar to anyone who needed it. He was hard headed, knew all and quick witted but even after a good argument he was the first to apologize if he made you feel bad. He was a sucker with small children for sure and spent countless hours with his grandchildren whom he loved dearly…until they became teenagers that is. Teenagers drove him crazy.

He was an extraordinary man and a dedicated friend. In fact, during his final years, Ray found great comfort in his many friends at the VFW in Cusseta, GA where he spent Thursday through Saturday every week playing poker, swapping stories and arguing with his buddies. He was able to visit with them one last time on the Sat before he passed. Those men lifted his spirits and kept him going and he was extremely grateful for their friendship.

Ray, Daddy, Pops, Papa, Uncle Arthur, Uncle Ott, and Sarg as he was proudly called, left us all with the most precious memories, stories, and moments that will last a lifetime. Until we meet again, you will always be loved, missed, and forever cherished. Other than his parents, Ray was preceded in death by three of his four brothers, John, Jackie, and Larry Brown in addition to his grandson Jamell Nunez.

He is survived by his wife, Patsy Brown of Columbus, GA, his children Dianne Clanton (Mike) of Senoia, GA, Arthur Ray Brown, Jr. (Angie) of Ellebelle, GA, Patricia Nunez (Teddy) of Baldwin, GA, Angela Franklin of Augusta, GA, Payton Brown (Brandy) of Waverly Hall, GA and Paul Brown (Ashley) of Navarre, FL along with 14 beautiful grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren along with his brother, Danny Brown of Soddy Daisy, TN plus many nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, the family would like a donation made to the Wounded Warrior Project. You can make a donation in Arthur Ray Brown’s name at https://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/donate and click on Honor and Memorial Donation.

“He will wipe away every tear from their eyes and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever “Revelation 21:14