Kenneth (Ken) Ray Brown, 77, of Hickory, NC, tragically passed away in a fire at his home in Hickory on Tuesday, January 23, 2024. He was born August 23, 1946 in Shelby, NC to the late Samuel T. Brown and Eula N. Brown. Ken is survived by his wife of 37 years, Betty Jo (BJ) Brown and their children Sarah Bohlman and Stacey Seitz, Fredda Kemp and their children Travis Brown & Kendall Tait.
He is also survived by his brothers Thomas L. Brown, MD, and Don W. Brown, and predeceased by his sister Nancy Brown Segrest.
Ken grew up in Shelby, North Carolina, where he was well known for being named All State on the Shelby High School football team. He was also an accomplished middle-weight boxer, and won Golden Gloves in 1963 and 1964. He went on to play college football for The Citadel where he was actively scouted by the San Diego Chargers. After his time at The Citadel, Ken went to the University of Mississippi where he graduated with a Bachelor of Business Administration.
After college, Ken went on to have a career in sales and management in the tire industry with stints at both Dunlop & Goodyear tire companies working at different times in both retail and in wholesale.
He loved college football and became a lifelong fan of the University of Tennessee Volunteers after his son Travis played on the National Championship team in 1998. He is passionate about his family, and his dog Lucy who died at his side.
A service of remembrance will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, February 3, 2024 at Jenkin’s Funeral Home, 4081 Startown Rd., Newton, NC. The family will receive friends from 2:00 to 3:00 p.m. prior to the service.
Your presence at the funeral, in the company of other friends and neighbors, contributes to a fellowship of support extended to the family and relatives. They appreciate your personal attendance. By being here you have communicated that you care. This is a gesture of immeasurable value and speaks significantly about the life we commemorate.
In lieu of flowers you may commemorate Ken by supporting his favorite charities:
Grace Chapel Volunteer Fire Department – Facebook – via check to:
Grace Chapel Volunteer Fire Department, In memory of Ken Brown, 4548 Grace Chapel Rd, Granite Falls, NC, United States, 28630
American Society of Suicide Prevention – Home | AFSP
Alzheimer’s Association – http://www.alz.org/donate
Please sign the online guestbook on the Memorial Wall at www.jenkinsfuneralhome.net. The Brown family has entrusted arrangements to Jenkins Funeral Home and Cremation Service in Newton 828-464-1555.