Joseph "Joe" Browne

Joe grew up somewhere between rural and suburban Tennessee. The second of four children and the only son born to Joe and Dot, he grew up poor but had no idea until much later. 

Young Joe could be found sleeping in the doghouse with the dogs after late-night coon hunting with his dad. He loved to read from an early age and must have stuck out as different since his grandmother and aunts would buy him books instead of toys. He read every book in the school library on World War II and was fascinated by history. A real southern youngster, he drove dune buggies, mini bikes and played football.

In high school, his mother offered to buy him whatever he wanted from a Green Stamp catalog. Joe chose a tennis racket though he’d never played. He had seen a practice wall where people hit balls outside of the country club and decided to learn the game with the help of a library book. He soon met a trio of older country club members who invited him to play as a fourth and gave him a glimpse of a lifestyle he hadn’t known before.

Joe used his tennis prowess and new introductions to earn a tennis scholarship to prep school, which was further enlightenment to a world of possibilities. He eventually graduated from Tennessee Tech University with a degree in Industrial Engineering. He moved to Connecticut and discovered life by the ocean. Fascinated by sail boats, he bought a twenty-two footer and taught himself to sail – yes, again by reading! 

After a few more moves and job changes, Joe returned to Tennessee to help his family. He was well respected and accomplished, holding the titles of Director and Vice President by the age of 30. As the head of QC, Joe complained to a supplier who sent a group of five to address his issue, including a young engineer named Vee. Joe and Vee were somehow smitten from the start, and the meeting ended with Joe taking Vee on a private tour of the plant. 

And although they lived 5 hours apart, and without cell phones or social media, the young couple had both relocated to Pittsburgh, PA within 3 months and were married soon after. Chasing career opportunities, or maybe bad weather, they relocated to Cleveland and then Detroit before settling in Vandalia for the last 25 years. They raised two fantastic children, Jarrett and (Lindsay) Jordan which made Joe proud. Jarrett attributes his love for travel and adventure to Joe, and Jordan strongly believes anything can be fixed or learned if you find a place to read about it. Joe’s other love, Great Dane Zoey, will turn 12 this month – the human kids are convinced Zoey ranks first in Joe’s book.

Joe had a special bond with Vee’s mom. After the passing of her husband, whom Joe admired vey much, “Batcha’ and Joe found a new bond. Joe’s parents had since passed, and Joe would describe Batcha as his mom too. The three created great memories including a magical trip to Charleston in 2024.

Joe was a fan of fast cars and anything with a motor. He added a Corvette LS-1 engine to a Porsche in his home garage and raced the Cannonball Run several years before winning the Vintage Class. As that passion faded, and perhaps equally inspired by his current position as an Engineer working on fighter jets for the U.S. Airforce, Joe decided to complete his private pilot’s license. When he couldn’t find a plane to rent for training, he purchased his own plane and started the quest.

In March, 2023, Joe received a devastating cancer diagnosis and underwent extensive surgery that would have sidelined most people. But Joe was back in the plane within weeks and resumed training. His chemo treatments were brutal, but usually offered a few days of relief between cycles. And that is when you could find Joe in the air, training to accomplish a goal. When the weather or chemo side effects did not permit flying, Joe concentrated on restoring a Porsche 914 in his garage. The goal was to do at least one thig a day – whether is it took two screws or was a full project – noting that he needed something to look forward to that took his mind off the cancer.

In October, 2024, and with the 914 project finished, Joe finally reached his stretch goal and became a certified Private Pilot. And, as promised and dreamed about since the start of the cancer journey, Joe flew Vee to brunch in Indianapolis as what they would always remember as a magical time. Joe was also able to fly Vee’s mom to breakfast, and enjoy a few solo missions. They planned more and longer trips, but cancer did not cooperate.

Joe passed away on January 13, 2025. He had more goals and dreams to accomplish but the bucket list would have never ended because Joe always believed in looking toward the next goal. His family, and especially Vee, is grateful for the incredible adventure they shared

The family will host a private Remembrance of Life at a later time. Joe would prefer to have this outside, so we will wait for better weather. Visual Flight Rules will apply.

Joe believed that small gestures were important and could make someone’s day brighter. He cleared multiple driveways and sidewalks with his snow blower over the years. He routinely picked up restaurant checks for strangers, usually anonymously. He trimmed bushes and picked up leaves for an elderly neighbor that had lost her husband, and he baked 20 dozen rolls for 25 consecutive years to deliver to the House of Bread each Christmas morning.

In lieu of flowers, the family is asking that you remember Joe by performing an act of kindness and thinking about him.

To share a memory of Joe or to leave a special message for his family, please sign the online guestbook provided.