Dr. James Everett Brown, 90, much loved veterinarian of Rich Square, North Carolina, died on Monday morning, December 29, 2008, in Birmingham, Alabama.
He was born in Rich Square, North Carolina, on December 12, 1918,the son of Everett L. and Bertha P. Brown. In the fall of 1943, he began his veterinary medical practice on the outskirts of Rich Square. Prior to his death, he was the longest-serving, full-time veterinarian in the state of North Carolina. Working seven days a week,he served multiple generations of families and their animals from all over Eastern North Carolina and Southeastern Virginia.
Dr. Brown was a 1939 graduate of North Carolina State University, where he served as student manager of the Wolfpack football team. He followed several close friends and fellow NCSU alumni to Alabama Polytechnic University (Auburn), where he attended the veterinary medical school. Dr. Brown graduated in November 1943; he was presidentof his senior class.
During World War II, he served in the U.S. Army Veterinary Medical Corps, with postings in Europe and the Philippines. Following the war, he married Jane Bastob of Decatur, Illinois, on March 10, 1947. She preceded him in death in August 2003. Dr. Brown devoted long years of service to the Northampton County Health Department. On Jan. 27, 2005, he was presented the Carl Durham Award by the Association of North Carolina Boards of Health for his leadership and advocacy in public health. On March 21, 2005, he also was recognized by the Northampton County Board of Commissioners for his “dedicated and untiring service in the field of veterinary medicine to the citizens of Northampton County.”
Throughout his life, he was a faithful member of the Rich Square United Methodist Church. He also was a devoted member of the American Legion in Northampton County and a staunch supporter of Northeast Academy in Lasker.
Among other honors, he was inducted into the Wallace Carl Riddick Society in 2004 in recognition of the commitment he made to North Carolina State University’s future through lifetime gift support.
He was recognized by the Woodland Horse and Pony Show on April 30, 2000 for outstanding service through the years as the official show veterinarian. In 2002, he was honored for his years of service to the youth involved in the Northampton and Hertford County Livestock Programs.
Along with his church, his family and his friends, the N.C. State University Wolfpack remained especially dear to his heart. He spent his last night with loved ones at an N.C. State pep rally in Birmingham, Alabama.
Dr. Brown is survived by one daughter, Rachel Brown Hackney of Sarasota, Florida, and her husband, Robert; two grandchildren, Robert Hackney Jr. and Stewart Hackney, both of Austin, Texas; one brother, Thomas Brown of Rich Square, North Carolina, and his wife, Mildred; and many nieces, nephews and cousins. He took tremendous delight in being a second grandfather to Meghan, Lyndal, Parker and Amelia Brown and Benjamin Brown Knight.
He was preceded in death by one daughter, Barbara Ann, in 1968; and two sisters, Louise and Margaret.
I just learned of Dr. Brown’s death yesterday and want to express sypmpathy on behalf of the College of Veterinary Medicine and NC State. Dr. Brown was a pioneer and in his career path he emulated the characteristics of a caring health professional. He will be missed.
Dr. Brown was loved by my family who brought there Dutchound puppies to him when they needed shots and help. He will be greatly missed by Frances and Everett Small, Catherine and Danny Sewis, Elisha and Dan Boger.
I have known Dr. Brown since the 70’s as he has been my many cats’veterinarian.
, I moved from Roanoke Rapids NC to Wilmington, NC in 2000 .Then in 2004 I moved to Monroe, Ga. During all these places that I lived I would call him and ask him what my cats needed if they had an infection. He would put the medicine in the mail and my cat got well.I am going to miss him so much as he was a wonderful, caring man. I am just thankful that I happened to be in Roanoke Rapids in October when I discovered he was in the hospital there. I was able to visit and talk to him. I am thankful for that visit as he has been a long time friend. I will miss him so very, very much.
I had always told friends to let me know if anything ever happened to him as I would travel the 8 hours to come to his funeral. Unfortunately I had sinus surgary on Tuesday and was unable to come.
‘-DR.BROWN SHARED MY LIFE NOT ONLY AS A VET.FOR ALL ANIMALS,BUT A DEAR,COMPASSIONATE,CARING PERSON. HE IS HAILED AS ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT PERSONS IN THE LIVES OF MANY. MY CHILDREN AND I ADMIRED HIM VERY MUCH. THIS IS A TREMENDOUS LOSS FOR OUR COMMUNITY AS WELL AS TO YOUR FAMILY. GOD BLESS EACH OF YOU AND KEEP YOU SAFE. GO WOLFPACK!!!!!
On behalf of Rich Square Health Care Center, I want to offer my prayers to the family of Dr. Brown. All of us loved Dr. Brown. Everyone has their special memory with him and these memories will be cherished forever.
My husband, Gene Nelson has known Dr. Brown and his family all his life because he grew up in his home town of Rich Square, NC. I had heard great things about him and his long service to the animals he loved so much that even before I knew him I felt I did. I got to meet him by carrying one of our pets to his office. He allowed me to take a few photos of him which we have treasured. Gene carried him one of the photos in a large frame which he hung on his wall. It seemed to really make him proud and grateful. He was gifted with remembering and asking about others by name. He was a faithful, dedicated member of the Rich Square Methodist Church where he attended almost every Sunday. He was known far and wide by so many who always spoke so highly of him. His charming personality, his wise and fair practice and his service to so many will be greatly missed. Gene and I are so thankful that we got to spend time with him when he was in Halifax Memorial Hopsital just a few weeks ago. We will miss him dearly.
To have known Doc Brown is to understand what it means to love life and to love one’s profession. My life is richer from having known him and having experienced his kindnesses toward my family and our animals through the years. I’m so grateful to have had one last visit with him in his office this past fall. May his legacy remind us to be faithful to God and purposeful living. May special memories offer comfort and peace to his family and all who knew and loved Doc. I extend my sympathy to his family.
We have lost a great person and also he is the last of the breed,there was Dr Monk,Dr Edwards and lastly Dr Brown.There will never be any better people that cared for animals and people the way these people did.Truly a great loss.
Rich Square has lost one of its finest. I have known Doc. all of my life. Will consider myself a lucky person to have known him.
We have lost one of the truly great citizens of our town. He always remembered the names of our pets, and we have quite a few. There is a special place in our hearts for him.