NotTheUglyDuckling

BROWN, JR., ROBERT L., Robert Love Brown, Jr., was born May 8, 1921 in Alliance, Ohio; he moved to Baileyton, TN and later to St. Petersburg, FL. Mr. Brown had a long, diversified life. In 1939, he enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps and was discharged in 1942. During his duty as a Marine, he was in three battles between the Japanese Navy and the U.S. Navy, the biggest battle being the battle of Midway. He was on the U.S.S. Astoria off the island of Guadal Canal when the ship was blown up by the Japanese, during which time he was injured. He floated around on wreckage before being rescued by the U.S. Navy. Before being rescued, his family was told he was missing in action. Mr. Brown spent 18 months in a Naval Hospital in San Francisco, recovering from wounds. He was awarded the Pacific Campaign Medal, with two battle stars, the Good Conduct Medal, Victory Medal, and Rifle Sharpshooter Medal. After his honorable discharge as a result of his wounds, he joined the Merchant Marines in 1944 as a ship radio officer. During his duty in the Merchant Marines, he was awarded the Pacific Campaign Medal, Marine Atlantic War Zone Medal, Victory Medal, and Pacific War Zone Medal, and was honorably discharged from Merchant Marines service in 1946. From 1949 to 1952, he had the Davy Crocket Show on WSUN-TV in St. Petersburg. Mr. Brown was also a news anchor and weatherman. From 1952 to 1957, he had the Skipper Bob show at WDBO-TV in Orlando. Mr. Brown was an announcer for WDBO Radio and a member of the Blue Angels Flight Team from 1964 to 1967. He worked at Orlando A.F.B. acting in top secret military films. Mr. Brown rejoined the Merchant Marines in 1968. In 1970, he started the first traffic watch report for WDBO Radio, and from 1976 to 1980 was a pilot for Florida Gas. From 1980 to 1985, he was a court deputy for the Orange Co. Sheriff's Department. Mr. Brown was a member of American Legion, D.A.V., and Fraternal Order of Police Orange County Lodge # 93. Before joining the Sheriff's Office in 1980 as a Deputy Sheriff, he was assigned to the Court Division as a retired pilot and flight instructor. Mr. Brown is survived by his loving wife, Beverly; sons, Ketron B. Brown (Judi), and Mark C. Brown; daughters, Rene Serafian (Pete), Lynn Roberts (Ray), Laurie Channell, Tamara McLanahan (Steven), and Sherry Earle (James); 24 grandchildren; five great-grandchildren. A memorial service will be held Thursday, April 12th at 7PM at Collison Carey Hand Funeral Home, 1148 East Plant Street, Winter Garden, with Rev. Dr. Walt Fowler officiating. Services by COLLISON CAREY HAND FUNERAL HOME - WINTER GARDEN. 407-877-6700

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