Thomas Frank Brown

Obituary THOMAS FRANKLIN BROWN, JR. (Frank) June 4, 1934 - September 6, 2013 Frank Brown, loving husband, father, grandfather, and brother was such a kind, caring and generous man who touched so many lives. He lost his life to a series of pneumonias and lung surgeries. Born on June 4, 1934, in Starke, Florida, he was the son of the late Thomas F. Brown, Sr. and Laura Belle Jones Brown. He was a member of the Boy Scouts of America. After graduation from Bradford High School, Starke, FL, in 1952, he entered the University of Florida in Gainsville graduating in 1956 with a BS in Business Administration. Upon passing his exams, he entered into the profession as a Certified Public Accountant in the state of Florida. On February 11, 1956, he married Dorothy Alice Ownbey from Keystone Heights, FL. Then, in 1958, they found themselves at Ft. Carson, CO, where Frank spent the next 4 years in the military working in their Army Finance Division. After an honorable discharge in 1962, they headed back to Florida to make their home. They had 4 children ~ twins Cynthia Ellenn and Natalie Jean, then a son, Stephen Charles, and a 3rd daughter Laura Elizabeth. As the children grew, so did their family ~ Daughter Cynthia is married to Mark Lenninger ; children: Daughter, Katherine (Katie) Belle , Son, Walker Joseph - They reside in Leesburg, Florida Daughter Natalie is married to Jim Barbour. They reside in Auburndale, Florida: Son Stephen is married to Debbie - Children ; Daughters, Brittany Nicole Key and Brianna Elizabeth Brown, They reside in Tampa, Florida. Daughter Laura has 4 sons and resides in Lady Lake, Florida: Daniel Louis Gunther, Matthew Alexander Gunther, Nathan Paul Gunther, Thomas Vincent Gunther Through the years, Frank worked for several CPA firms in Florida, Georgia and St. Thomas, USVI. He loved his work and always enjoyed the opportunity to help people. He was loved by everyone! In 2002, his beloved wife, Dorothy, passed away after years of battling cancer. At the same time in Florida, just 3 months later, Betsy (Elizabeth) Stine ~ same city, same church (yet all 4 did not know each other) ~ lost her husband to cancer. Both found themselves in the same functions at Church. When their Bible Study friends prayed to get them together, God listened. Life is meant to be shared....and on June 26, 2004, Frank married Betsy...at their Church in Sarasota, FL ~ The Church of the Redeemer. The following year they started a bereavement support group at their Church, ministering to those who had lost a loved one and were hurting. Together they have 6 children and 16 grandchildren!!!!!!! Added to the blended family: Step-son James Edward Stine, Jr. and wife, Lori, reside in Stillwater, Oklahoma, with their 7 kids: Justyn Brantford Stine, Jordan Hunter Stine, Rachel Taylor Stine, Jacob Alexander Stine, Caden Joshua Stine, Zacchary Aron Stine, Carson Noah Stine Step-son Brian Eugene Stine and his wife, Mana Uchino, reside in Palo Alto, California, with their daughter: Anna Stine-Uchino Frank is also survived by an older brother, Emory L. Brown (Topsy) of Pomona Park, Florida, and preceded by a half brother Gordon Weest and half sister, Kathryn Weest Carbone. In 2005, Frank and Betsy vacationed to Colorado Springs, CO. Frank had not been back since Army days, and Betsy had never been to Colorado. He loved it again and Betsy fell in love with it, too. After a beautiful week, they returned home to hurricanes in Florida. The idea was born to move to the Springs, so in June of 2006, Frank and Betsy moved to Colorado Springs. Frank continued to do some CPA work in Colorado, but in 2010 he underwent 9 hours of open-heart surgery. Amazing ....miracle after miracle. He was not expected to live, but survived the odds. In 2011, he battled back pain ~ severe arthritis with narrowing of the spine. Cortisone injections and visiting pain-management doctor after pain-management doctor proved to no avail. In the spring of 2013, Frank became ill with constant pneumonia after pneumonia after pneumonia. He was in Pikes Peak Rehab Center for 3 months, just ready to return home to Betsy when again the pneumonia attacked ... this time with a vengeance .... and again, another lung surgery... his body so weakened. Facing a life of tubes and aggressive treatment, the choice was comfort. With 3 weeks in Pikes Peak Hospice care, Frank went 'Home' to the Lord on September 6, 2013, with Betsy by his side. No more pain and suffering....only special memories for those here on earth . . . You have touched our lives abundantly ... and we will hold you in our hearts forever! If desired, memorial donations may be made in Frank's name to 'The Organ Restoration Fund' Grace and St. Stephen's Episcopal Church 601 N. Tejon St. Colorado Springs, CO. 80903 September 6, 2013 "Memory is a part of our souls ~ And it is eternal." My Darling, dearest Frank, Total wholenesstotal peaceyour pain and sufferings are over. How hard it was for you my Darling.these past 3 years you have suffered so much.we have walked this difficult road with so many twists and bendswith steep and rocky inclinesour Lord beside us every step of the way. You never gave up.you fought the good fightyou did it for us. Oh, how much I love you.oh how much my heart is breakingmy world has been crushed. Thank you for loving me..thank you for making me feel so special. You could always make my heart smile. How blessed I have been to be your wife.God not only gave me one special husband, but two. My life seemed to have ended when my Jim died 11 years ago, and then I met you. No one will ever be able to take this love from my heart..for I will love you forever and ever. I will see you on the beaches in my mind. I will see you in our gardens. I will see you in beautiful music. I will see you in the anthems at Church I will see you in the mornings. I will see you in the evenings I will see you in the beauty of our mountains I will always see you in our memories. You will be with me forever in my heart.. "In heaven ~ Well know life without bounds With no restrictions from budgets, health or physical ability. No speed limits, time limits or red tape. No bills in the mailbox. No limits to love, patience or understanding. Nothing will be impossible." How heavy my heart is.I didnt want to let you go.but I had to.for your weakened body could go no more. The moments we have cherished will live on in my heart. As the butterflies come dance in our gardens, I will see you on their wings smiling at megood-bye is just short for "God be with you" .. and He is, for I have released you into the hands of Jesus. . . Good-bye, my darling dearest .I will love you forever. Until we meet again ~ Your Betsy Services Grace and St. Stephen's Episcopal Church 601 N. Tejon St. Colorado Springs, CO. 80903