Gerald Anthony Brown was born in Omaha, Nebraska to James and Helen Brown on April 21, 1943. He departed his beautiful life on July 10, 2022, in Miami, Florida.

After graduating from Central High School in Omaha, Nebraska Gerald joined the US Navy. He wanted to serve his nation. He was assigned to the USS Navy Ship, Carl Vinson. Gerald married and was blessed with two children, DeShawn Fitzpatrick, living in Houston, TX. and Gerald Starks living in Omaha, Nebraska. He truly cherished the regular visits he got from two of his grands, Erica and Draeton Fitzpatrick. He has one brother, Jimmy Brown (Geneece) in Houston, TX. one niece, Annette Brown and one nephew, Anthony (Tony) Brown, from Houston. He is also survived by his cousin, Albertine Gadson, from CA., seven grandchildren: Ericka, Justis Skyler, Samone, Jayden, Jaylen and Draeton: five great grandchildren and many other relatives and close friends . One grandson, Dreaton Fitzpatrick, followed his Papa’s footsteps to the Navy. Gerald was so proud of him for his chosen military service. JB, as I liked to call him, honed his saxophone playing skills at the Off Beat Jazz Club in Omaha where he played with jazz singer, Etta James. He continued playing in the military band to entertain the troops. Completing his military service, Gerald entered The Vets in Education Program with the University of Nebraska, in Omaha, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in Education. Gerald taught fifth grade – he loved it! This was the time Gerald met J. Carol Bethel from Des Moines, Iowa, they married. This loving union remained 42 years until his death.

One Sunday. in church the minister announced Eastern Airlines was hiring in Omaha. Gerald and his friends were on it. They all were hired. This began JB’s airline experience. Gerald soon was promoted full time and reassigned to Eastern Chicago O'Hara Airport. Gerald held several managerial positions with Eastern Airlines and Cargo Futures. He was transferred to Eastern Miami and over the next thirty years this was where he retired. And boy did we get our travel time in – My sister Jennifer and her husband Steve were often travel companions. We found ourselves traveling from Atlanta, Victoria, Canada, Carmel Vancouver Island, Seattle, San Francisco (multiple times) Oakland, Los Angeles (multiple times) Denver, Kansas City, Washington D.C, anywhere in Texas, the Caribbean Islands, especially our timeshare in Montego Bay and timeshare in Hilton Head SC. For sure Florida was a favorite too, Naples, Key West, Tampa Bay and on and on. Recently we started using Amtrak. We took a coast to coast (12 day) Amtrak train from Chicago, IL, to Cheyeene, WY to Oakland, CA, up to Portland OR. over to Denver, CO. then flew back to Miami.

On his downtime, Gerald enjoyed playing Chess with his best friend, Robert Taylor from Omaha, NB. They would challenge each other over the phone and play on teams with other players around the world. Once I accidentally interrupted a game from Japan, He and JB played that game for three days. I informed Mr. Winsome of JB's passing. It saddened him, I received a beautiful condolence card in the mail from him. JB also enjoyed being co-pilot with his brother, Jim, when he would fly his Mooney aircraft into Tamiami airfield. Jim would fly us around Miami. We always enjoyed ourselves. I can’t forget JB’s scuba diving ventures when we would go to Grand Cayman Islands ( he took me down on my first dive). My Boo did all that. He loved all that!! When my mother came to visit, her and JB, just the two of them, would play poker all night long. He ended with a bag of her money (still in the drawer) and she ended up with a bag of his money (still in the drawer). And when my dad came to visit, Gerald always rented them a boat to go fishing, canals or ocean, didn't matter. JB also enjoyed fishing with his brother-in-law Jay.

“JB I can't stop this “Your LOVE is in my heart and head for as long as I live, every minute of every day.” I love you Boo, Always will and Always Forever!!” Thank you for sharing my beautiful life with me!! Thank you!!

Send to someone

Share this obituary with others

https://everloved.com/life-of/gerald-anthony-brown/obituary/

Copy