Billy John Brown '73

Joined: 06 Jun 2007 Posts: 256 Location: Longview, TX

Billy John (BJ) Brown, age 56, passed away on March 11, 2009 following a courageous battle with cancer. BJ was born in Livingston, TX on July 5, 1952 to JN (Bo) Brown and Sylvia Handley Brown.

BJ was a resident of Gallatin, TN and lived his life to the absolute fullest. He had many wonderful friends and family members all over the United States. He was an employee of Gaylord Opryland Hotel for 17 years. He was a published author. He acted in many CMT (County Music Television) music videos and owned several businesses including Skydive Records and Films. He earned his Screen Actors Guild card and appeared in many motion pictures, including; Red Dawn, The Green Mile, The Last Dance, Letter from Death Row, The Expert and Is There Life Out There.

BJ had a life-long passion for history, especially military history and was well versed in both World War II and the Civil War. He was an active member of the Civil War reenactment community and was a member of both the Thomas K. Porter Battery and the Sumner County Light Artillery.

BJ organized and was a commander in the National Defense Force unit made up of veterans and public minded citizens, who assist in search and rescue operations, traffic control and security assignments. His leadership enabled members to receive training through FEMA, Sumner County EMA, the weather service and the Gallatin Police Citizens academy. He also served as a Volunteer Deputy Sheriff for Sumner County Sheriffs Office.

BJ attended Kemper Military School in Boonville, Missouri where he received his AA. He entered Kemper in the fall of 1966 as the only eigth grade student at the time, he graduated from high school at Kemper in 1971 and two years later as the Corps S-2 he was commissioned, second lieutenant, Infantry. He received a BS degree from Central Missouri State University in 1976. He was a member of the United States Army 82nd Airborne Division and attained the rank of 1st Lieutenant. He obtained his Paratroopers Jump Wings from both the US Army and the Israeli Defense Force. He served as a Colonel in the Tennessee State Guard from 1985 to 1999. He was a member of the Sons of Confederate Veterans and the Military Order of the Stars and Bars. He was a Paratrooper for the Confederate Air Force museum in Midland, TX.

BJ is survived by cousins; Connie Priest, San Antonio, TX, Bill Kennedy, Natchitoches, LA, Adrian Handley and Jerri Brame, Livingston, TX, and very loving and dear friend Linda Dietrich, Antioch, TN.