Tom (Sonny) Browning – Obituary and Assessment Call

Tom BrowningTom Browning, 88, of Athens, passed away January 12, 2014.

Services were at 3:00 p.m. Thursday, January 16, 2014 at First Baptist Church with Rev. Perry Smith and Rev. Gary Bowman officiating.

He was reunited with his late wife Doris, his brother Joe Browning, and parents Claude and Fannie Browning.

He was born February 15, 1925 in Athens. Mr. Browning attended public school in Athens. After graduation he enlisted in the Army Air Force. His rank was corporal. He was the top turret gunner on a B-17. Mr. Browning was a member of the 100th Bomber Group-Squadron 349th. His plane was shot down on his7th mission over Brunswick, Germany March 3, 1945. He was captured in Germany, held as a prisoner of war and released July 12, 1945. After the war he was stationed at Hensley Air Base in Grand Prairie where he met the love of his life Doris Bowman. They married December 14, 1945 and started their life together in Athens. Mr. Browning enrolled in Texas A & M Game Warden Academy in 1947. Upon graduation his first assignment was Athens. During his lifetime he served the following areas: Lufkin, Palestine, Crockett, Caddo Lake and in 1960 back to Athens. He was a State Game Warden for over 35 years. Three of those years he was Director of Law Enforcement for the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department in Austin, Texas. After retirement he took the position of ranch manager for Lockridge Ranch. He worked 17 years there. During the summer months, he and Doris enjoyed their trip to Lake City, Colorado. Mr. Browning was always in "his element" if he was outdoors hunting and fishing. He also loved planting and working in his garden. One of his hobbies was looking for and collecting Indian artifacts. He was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather and uncle. Mr. Browning was loved and respected by all who met him. He also loved spending time with his grandchildren and teaching them about the "great outdoors".

Survivors include daughters Georgia Moore and husband Pat, Tyler, Kathy Blackmon and husband Jim, Athens, Sally Holloway and Dale, Odessa; sister Muriel Green, Kemp; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law Betty and Ernie Guyton, Athens, Sue Frazier, Dallas and Jamie McWilliams, Red Oak; grandchildren Eddie Lehr, Crockett, Elizabeth Throop and husband Robert, Laguna Nigel, Ca., Claudia Conley, San Antonio, Josh Blackmon and wife Jackie, San Antonio, Brad Holloway and wife Zoe, Frisco, Lindsey Hendrix and husband Kyle, Plano; nine great grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews.

Pallbearers will be Eddie Lehr, Josh Blackmon, Brad Holloway, Kyle Hendrix, Cody Lehr, Corey Lehr. Honorary pallbearers will be Robert W. Strain, Buddy Akin, Carl Taylor, Joe Lovelace, Tim Curry, Lloyd Sheldon, Dr. Bob Foster, Nolan Wilson, Judge Jack Holland, Dr. Ted Mettetal. Visitation for family and friends will be 4 to 6 PM Wednesday at Carroll-Lehr Funeral Home.

The family wishes to extend a special thanks to the nurses, aides and office personnel of Cedar Lake Home Health Care: Michelle Carson, Patti Mitchell, Amy Dowell, Cynthia Perry, Melanie Davis, Kathy Johnson, Suzanne Scholes, Mikeala Marple, Dawn Smith, Mark Sulak, Lori Gano, Cindy Kalawe and Angela Sessions.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Wounded Warrior Project, P O Box 758517, Topeka, Kansas 66675.

You may leave a message of condolence or light a memorial candle for the family at www.carroll-Lehr.com.


TEXAS PARKS & WILDLIFE DEPARTMENT

MUTUAL ASSOCIATION
P.O. Box 549
Del Valle, Texas 78617

TO: ALL MEMBERS OF THE TEXAS PARKS & WILDLIFE DEPARTMENT MUTUAL ASSOCIATION

SUBJECT:       Assessment Call: Tom C. Browning, Jr. #815
DATE:             February 3, 2014
AMOUNT:       $20.00
DUE:               March 6, 2014

Failure to pay by the due date will result in loss of benefits. The assessment fee plus a reinstatement fee will be charged to rejoin the Association.

The Texas Parks and Wildlife Mutual Association (TPW Mutual Association) regrets to inform you of the death of one of our members, Tom C. (Sonny) Browning, Jr.

He became a member of the TPW Mutual Association on June 1, 1956. He retained his membership up until his death on January 12, 2014. Additional information on Tom (Sonny) Browning is on the reverse side of this assessment letter. A check in the amount of $5,000 was delivered to Ms. Kathy N. Blackmon.

An assessment in the amount of $20.00 will be necessary to bring the policy fund back into balance to have payments on hand for other members in case of death. Please make this payment by the due date listed above.

Sincerely,

Kristin Rathburn, Secretary
Texas Parks & Wildlife Department Mutual Association


REMINDER

Make Checks Payable to:

TPWD Mutual Association

Please Mail All Payments to:

TPWD Mutual Association
P.O. Box 549
Del Valle, TX 78617

If you have any questions regarding the TPWD Mutual Association, please contact:

Keith Gerth by phone at (512) 389-8820 or e-mail keith.gerth@tpwd.texas.gov, or
Toni Oldfather by phone at (512) 389-4859 or e-mail toni.oldfather@tpwd.texas.gov, or
Kristin Rathburn by phone at (512) 389-4768 or e-mail kristin.rathburn@tpwd.texas.gov, or
Dennis Gissell by phone at (512) 389-4407 or e-mail dennis.gissell@tpwd.texas.gov