R. J. Brown passes

[LVGaryD]

Robert J. “R. J.” Brown, 90, of Troy, passed away 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, October 14, 2014 at his residence. He was born in Spring Valley, Ohio on August 14, 1924 to the late Robert and Mabel (Craig) Brown.

He was married to Doris, and she preceded him in death along with his companion, Shirley Anne (Brown) Trees. R. J. is also survived by one daughter and son-in-law, Carol and Mark Winters of Sabina, OH; one step-son and wife, Robert and Melissa Mount of Wauseon, OH; one step-daughter and husband, Kathy and Charles Coon of Upper Sandusky; and two granddaughters, Devan Miller of Delaware and Katelyn Mount of Wauseon. He was also preceded in death by one brother, Charles Brown; and one sister, Vivian Baughman. R. J. was a U.S. Marine Corps Veteran of WWII.

He was a harness horse owner, trainer, and driver since 1951. He was self employed with public stable. He started his racing career in 1951 at the Miami County Fairgrounds. He won over 1900 races and over 2.5 Million Dollars during his career of 60 years plus. He was a member of Troy Eagles Post #971, Troy Fish & Game Club and a Life Member of Troy Elks Post #833. He was in the Ohio Harness Horseman's Hall of Fame, Northfield Park Horseman's Wall of Fame, and was inducted in the Troy Hall of Fame in 2011. For his hobbies, he was an avid golfer.

A funeral service will be held 2:00 p.m. Saturday, October 18, 2014 at Fisher-Cheney Funeral Home, Troy with Rev. Ed Ellis officiating. Visitation will be from 12:00 to 2:00 p.m. on Saturday at the funeral home prior to the service. An Honor Guard Service will be performed by the Veterans Memorial Honor Guard of Troy to follow the funeral service. Interment will be in Spring Valley Cemetery, Spring Valley, Ohio at a later date. Condolences may be left for the family at fisher-cheneyfuneralhome.com.

[The Skipper]

RIP 

[LVGaryD]

It seems a lot of my old buddies are dying lately. I first met Brownie in 1973, when I worked at Northfield Park for Tom Brinkerhoff. Brownie never knew anyone he didn't like. Golf, softball-wherever the guys were, Brownie was there in those years. He could train a horse with anyone on Earth, and was a decent driver back in the days before catch drivers.

As time went on, he slowed down quite a bit, but he always, always remembered his friends. I saw Brownie last year at Scioto at the Night Of Champions, and this year on Monday of Jug week at the Sunbury yearling sale. We sat and talked for probably 45 minutes. He said that he had gone through so many surgeries, and they were going to do another in October.

He was frail that September day, but he smiled and joked and asked the lady from Midland Acres when she was "going to bring out those damned chicken wings??" He told her to hurry up as seriously as he could, then he busted out laughing. In no time he got his wings.

We talked about the prospects of death, dying, and the afterlife. I told him that when I was laying near death in 2005, I was very unafraid-even peaceful, and was really welcoming the thought of death when I thought I'd be paralyzed forever. I told him after the surgeries I went through, I quickly learned that death is not something to be afraid of…not even the tiniest bit. Brownie replied, "You know, I am not afraid to die either. Everyone is worried about me dying except me. When I die, I don't believe I will ever really be dead. I will always be alive somewhere."

That profound message coming from Brownie was about the last thing I remember him saying. We shook hands and I told him I really hope to see him next year. At this point I'd just as soon not see him for quite a while. 

By the way, just moments after Brownie died, a large rainbow appeared over his barn. His daughter in law said it was Brownie telling them he's ok. I believe it.

[Longshot Louie]

What a nice tribute Gary.  We have a lot to learn from our elders and you seem to have a way of expressing it so well.  One underlying theme I see with that generation is a service to our Country and then continuing to be successful in whatever they choose to do.  God Bless R.J. and his family.         

[AmyHollar]

Just now reading Gary..............you made me cry.............I last talked to RJ two weeks before he died........I knew it wouldn't be long for him but I also knew if I could get to his age, be as sharp as he was standing with his granddaughter in the Northfield Park paddock, I'd done something right.

[beans and weenies]

I could not say it any better than you did Gary.  He was a special man to a lot of people.  RIP RJ.  We will meet again some day.