BROWN, 1SG Claude D., Sr., "Sarge", 88, entered eternal peace on August 4, 2020, at Dade City, Florida.

Born October 19, 1931, in Caraway, Black Oak Township, Arkansas, to Charley J. "Jack" Brown and Irena "Rena" Purdom Brown, he moved to Dade City from Chicago, where his dad had worked as a steel mill welder. He graduated Pasco High School in 1950, and became a charter member of the 124th Infantry Regiment, Florida Army National Guard. Following 37 years of National Guard service, Sgt. Brown retired from Battery B, 2nd Battalion, 116th Field Artillery, in 1986.

A talented artist and sign painter, in retirement he also enjoyed travel, woodworking and recumbent bicycling, and was known for his kindness, generosity, and easygoing, pleasant demeanor.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Jack, Rena, and Callie Davis Brown; wife, Fran; son, David; and sister, Patsy Fowler. He is survived by his children, stepchildren, grandchildren and great-grandchildren: Claude and Cindy Brown, Rachel Miller and daughter Emma-Sue, Sarah and Monty Kumar, and Allison Miller; Patricia and Lynn Raposa, Benjamin and Laura Raposa and Grayson; Melinda Henry and Russell Steiss, Brooke and Jerald Juan and Olivia and Evan, Kelly Kaplan and Jaden and Leah; and Danny Dubuque; as well as his sister, Darlene Brown, and her children, Leigh-Anne and Michael Michalski and family and Wendi Evenson; nieces, nephews and cousins, including Mike and Laurie Fowler and family, Marti and Jeffrey Barnett and family, Tony and Kim Fowler and family, Judy and Bob Case and family, Debbie Pullin and family; and lifelong friends Jack and Dorothy Johnson.

Viewing will be from 10:30 to 12:30 on Friday, August 21, (face masks required) at Hodges Family Funeral Home, 11441 US Hwy. 301, Dade City, followed by committal service at 2 pm at Florida National Cemetery, 6502 SW 102nd Ave., Bushnell (social distancing and face masks required).

Arrangements by Hodges Family Funeral Home 301 Chapel Dade City Fl

Hodges Family Funeral Home & Cremation Center