Thomas Henry Brown, 80

DENTON, Md. - Thomas Henry Brown was born in Denton on Aug. 7, 1927, and received his wings from the Lord Tuesday, Sept. 25, 2007, at Genesis Healthcare, Easton. He was 80.

Thomas lived and spent most of his life in Caroline County.

He was educated in the Caroline County school system.

In 1952, Thomas entered the U.S. Army, serving his country in the Korean War as a tank driver.

He was a very hard worker. He was employed by Elliott Brothers Trucking Co., Barry T. Fox Trucking Co. and various other trucking companies.

Thomas worked at the Dover Air Force Base as well, and retired after more than 20 years of service.

His love for transportation, especially buses, led him to drive school buses for the Caroline County School District for more than 40 years. He was also inspired to create Brown"s Bus Service, where he was owner/operator of coaches for 18 years.

Thomas, affectionately known as "Tom," "Tit" or "Pop," enjoyed being surrounded by his family. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and brother.

He loved spending time with all of his grandchildren, usually watching and cheering them on at various sporting events.

In his spare time, Thomas enjoyed working on his buses, gardening, meeting his buddies at McDonald"s each morning and going to Midway Slots, Harrington, with his good friend, Lewis Adams.

He was welcomed into heaven by the loving arms of his late parents, Charles Emerson and Bertie Mae Brown; his son, Carlos Brooks; his sisters, Audrey Patterson, Ella Milligan, Elizabeth Jackson and Melvina Murray; and his brothers, William Brown, Alfred Brown and James Brown.

He leaves to cherish his memory a devoted wife, Alice Brown; his stepmother, Pearl Brown of Ridgley; a son, Donald Brooks of Denton; four daughters, Wanda Green (Joseph), Marcieta Gibson and Karen Beck (John), all of Denton, and Cheryl Johnson (Donnell) of Silver Spring; two sisters, Ida Mae Brown and Sara Staten, both of Denton; 10 grandchildren, Kiana Lewis, Shannon Brooks, Devon Beck, Ebony Gibson, Kiah Brooks, Quinche Fuller, Brent Beck, Tre"Von Green, Dewayne Johnson and Donnell Johnson Jr.; three great-grandchildren, Ravynn, Precious and Jada; three sisters-in-law, Pat Brown, Chris Brooks and Mamie Brooks; two brothers-in-law, Howard Brooks and the Rev. Melvin Brooks; an extended daughter and son, Patricia Diane Fisher (George) and James Brown (Sonja); and a host of nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

Services will be 1 p.m. Saturday in St. Luke United Methodist Church, Denton, where friends and family may call one hour earlier. Friends may also call from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at the church.

Burial will be in the Maryland Veterans Cemetery, Hurlock.

Arrangements by Bennie Smith Funeral Home, Easton.