James F. Brown

Cortland, OH. James F. Brown, 96, Editor Emeritus of the Warren Tribune Chronicle, formerly of Warren, died Wednesday, January 7, 2015, at Lake Vista of Cortland. He was born on September 22, 1918 in Centralia, Illinois, the son of the late William and Flora Brown.

Jim was known as "Brownie" and was employed by Warren Tribune Chronicle as Editor and later named Editor Emeritus after his retirement in 1982. He graduated from Niles McKinley High School and attended Youngstown College.

He was an active member of: First Presbyterian Church of Warren, where he served as a member of the Board of Trustees, ruling elder and deacon and as president of Kirk Club and Westminster Men's Club. He wrote and edited the church newspaper "The Spire" for six years.

His commitment to the betterment of his community was evident by his involvement with his community. He was Emeritus member of the board of Kent State University Trumbull Campus and its board president for three years. As a member of the board of the Warren Library Association, he partnered with the Warren-Trumbull County Library by organizing and coordinating very popular community public forums, ranging from health care, social and legal issues Social Security and more. Most of these programs were standing room only. He served as Chairperson of the first levy campaign for the Warren-Trumbull County Library. He was Chairperson and founder of the Adopt-A-School Program in Warren schools, Rotary Club board member, former board member of the Trumbull County Historical Society and member and former chairman of the Warren Ohio Hearing Research Foundation.

He received numerous professional awards including: William Allen White Foundation's National Excellence Award for editorial writing presented in Phoenix, Arizona in 1980, Ingersoll Communications first-place award for public service for 1987-88, and the Ohio Department of Health Leadership Award for community health promotion in 1988.

Jim's civic and community honors and awards include, but not limited to: 1988 Distinguished service award from the of Kent State University Trumbull, 1988 Paul Harris Fellowship bestowed by the Rotary Club of Warren and Rotary International, 1993 Warren City School Meritorious Service Award for Adopt-A-School, 2003 Honorary Rotarian, 2008 Founder's Award from Kent State University Trumbull.

He served his country during World War II as a Corporal in the US Army, Company F. Second Battalion, 136th Infantry Regiment, 33rd Infantry Division from October 1942 to December, 1945. He served in the United States, Hawaiian Islands, British and Dutch New Guinea, Morati Island, the Philippine Islands, and Japan. He received the Bronze Star Medal and World War II Victory Medal.

Memories will be carried on by his daughter, Jane Brown (John) Anthony of West Chester, PA; son, Barry B. Brown (Ritsuko) of Boardman, OH; granddaughter Carolyn A. (Brady) Bowles, grandson, Christopher (Tara) Brown, granddaughter, Marie (Greg) Robinson, great-grandchildren; Chloe, Olivia, Sophie, Camden, Arden, Evan, and Nicholas

He was preceded in death by his wife, Gene Ash Brown, whom he met while both were employed by the Tribune and were married March 20, 1946. She died January 18, 2010.He was also preceded in death by his brother, William Brown.

A memorial service will be conducted at 11:00 a.m. Friday, January 16, 2015 at First Presbyterian Church, with Rev. Rusty Cowden and Rev. Duane Jesse officiating. Private inurnment will take place in the First Presbyterian Church Columbarium. Friends may call 10:00-11:00 a.m. Friday at the church parlor. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made in the form of donations to First Presbyterian Scholarship Fund at First Presbyterian Church, 256 Mahoning Ave. N.W. Warren, Ohio 44483, www.fpcwarren.org . or Warren Hearing and Research Foundation, 3893 E. Market Street, Warren, Ohio 44484-4791.

Arrangements are entrusted to McFarland and Son Funeral and Cremation Services Co, 271 North Park Avenue, Warren, OH 44481, 330-393-9621. Please visit www.McFarlandCares.com to view this obituary and send condolences,