James Brown - Roberson Funeral Home

James Brown

September 20, 1925 - January 31, 2010

James M. Brown, 84, of Punta Gorda, Florida passed away Sunday, January 31, 2010 at Fawcett Memorial Hospital in Port Charlotte. Jim was born September 20, 1925 in Ottumwa, Iowa. He began coming down to Port Charlotte for the winter in 1997 from Moline, IL and moved to Punta Gorda permanently in 2001. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather and will be missed very much, but not forgotten. He retired from John Deere Company after 37 years of service in Moline, IL.
Jim was a veteran of World Word II where he was a decorated UDT-NAVY SEAL. He received the Presidential Unit Citation for outstanding performance in combat during the invasion of Normandy, June 6, 1944. Determined and zealous in the fulfillment of an extremely hazardous mission, the Navy Combat Demolition Unit of Force ‘O’ landed on the Omaha Beach with the first wave under devastating enemy artillery, machinegun and sniper fire. With practically all explosives lost and with their force seriously depleted by heavy casualties, the remaining officers and men carried on gallantly, salvaging explosives as they were swept ashore and in some instances commandeering bulldozers to remove obstacles. In spite of these grave handicaps, the Demolition Crews succeeded initially in blasting five gaps through enemy obstacles for the passage of assault forces to the Normandy shore and within two days had sapped over eighty-five percent of the Omaha Beach area of German placed traps. Valiant in the face of grave danger and persistently aggressive against fierce resistance, the Navy Combat Demolition Unit rendered daring and self-sacrificing service in performance of a vital mission, thereby sustaining the high traditions of the United States Naval Service. He also received the European-African-middle Eastern Campaign Medal, the two Bronze Stars, the American Campaign Medal, a World War II Victory Medal, an Honorable Service Lapel Button and the Presidential Unit Citation Ribbon with one Bronze Star.

Survived by his loving wife, Maria Rinaldo of Punta Gorda; two daughters, Vicki Byers (Glynn) of Branson, Missouri and Debra Styre (Shawn) of Phoenix, AZ; a son, Rick Brown (Jan) of Cedar Rapids, Iowa;

Nine grandchildren, Kevin, Kyle, Kim, Tim, Chris, April, Tracy, Tiffany, and Ryan

Great Grandchildren: Michael, Cassandra, Natasha, Clayton, Taylor, Trent, Teagan, Alex, Alyssa, Sam, Sofia and three more great grandsons arriving soon.

He was preceded in death by his first wife Roberta, his parents and a brother and sister.

There will be a memorial mass 11:00 AM Friday, February 5, 2010 at San Antonio Catholic Church in Port Charlotte. Military honors by the US Navy and inurnment will follow at 1:30 PM at Sarasota National Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made In Memory of James M. Brown to: Navy UDT-Seal Museum: 3300 North SR A1A, Fort Pierce, FL. 34949

You may visit online at www.robersonfh.com to sign the guest book and extend condolences to the family. Arrangements by Roberson Funeral Home & Crematory Port Charlotte Chapel.

Roberson Funeral Home

Light a candle Light a candle

Flowers & Gifts

Arrangements starting at $35

See Condolences

Maria - please accept our since condolences. I have fond memories of Jim and our association at Deere. The favorite memory is when we traveled to Ottumwa together. We had a great time after hours. Bob & Carolyn Grenier

Maria, our deepest sympathy to you and Jim's family. He was a true hero in every respect. My experiences with him at Deere and the many conversations about our Military life will always be remembered. Doug

Maria, Vicki and Glynn, I am saddened to hear of Jim's passing, however very grateful to know what a heart you all have for Jesus Christ and am sure you are comforted by our Savior, that Jim is in a good place. My prayers are with you. Jim was a special man!! God Bless you, Luann Kellums

Dearest Maria My heart goes out to you at this difficult time. Card in the mail today with more.Our deepest sympathies. Cynthia and Dave

WITH GREAT RESPECT FOR JIM'S SERVICE AND DEEPEST SYMPATHY FOR HIS PASSING

Peace of mind is a call away. We’re here when you need us most.

Jim will always be in our hearts and prayers. He was a good role model for all of us.

Jim will be sadly missed, he was a wonderful person, good friend and a great American. For those of us who got to know Jim, he was an insperation to us all as he loved life and a good laugh. We are so glad to have known such a wonderful person and he will always have a special place in our hearts.

What a well lived, accomplished life! It was an honour to have known Jim! My condolences to you Maria and to the extended family.

Marie, it was so nice to have known him, he was great man and I know he will be deeply missed by you and his family. We will all miss him. It is very difficult knowing what to say to a loved one at this time but we want you we are thinking of you now and the day of the service. May God rest his soul. With deepest sympathy, Terry and Cass McGurk

Dear Maria, I want to offer you my sincerest condolences. I was deeply saddened by the news of Jim’s death. He was such a wonderful man. I am so sorry for your loss. You have my deepest sympathy. Please remember that you are in my thoughts and my prayers.

Maria and Family Thinking of you and your families during this very difficult time - may you find comfort in the fond memories. Maria and Adriano Torresan

We are very sorry to hear of the loss of Jim. May he rest in peace. He will live on in all the loved ones he has left behind.

Our sincere condolences

To my cousin Maria Rinaldo and James' family, I extended my deepest sympathies for your loss. I only had occasion to meet James twice at family functions and only wish I could have known him better. His obituary clearly shows that he was a remarkable man with incredible achievements during his lifetime. My thoughts and prayers are with you. Flavio and family.

Maria, Vicki and family, What a wonderful tribute to an enormously gracious man. May the treasured memories be what lifts you up in these moments and for the rest of your lifetime. Our hearts and prayers are with you. Kirk and LuAnn Haydon

Aunt Maria, Vicki, Deb and Rick, We are so sorry for your loss. Uncle Jim will really be missed. He was a great and admirable man. You are all in our thoughts and prayers. Love, Jake, Paula, Simon, Maya and Claire Zulewski

Hey Everyone, We are praying for you all in the loss of Brother Brown...as he was affectionately known. He was a blessing to us many times over and we have very fond memories. May the Lord surround you all with His Peace and Comfort during these days. We love you all. Greg & Kristie

Maria: It is with great sorrow to learn about Jim. I want to express my deepest sympathy. I have many special memories about Jim. Please know you are in my thoughts and prayers.

My condolences to Jim’s Family. Jim’s legacy still lives on here at Deere in the computer system application he initiated 30 years ago. It is now used Globally. He shall be missed.

Peace of mind is a call away. We’re here when you need us most.

Jim lived a full and giving life. Jim was a very good friend for a number of years. Condolences to the family members

Maria and family, We were saddened to learn of Jim's death. Jim was a great gentleman and especially a loving husband. Our condolences go out to you. We will keep you in our prayers. Ted and Harriet

Maria, I am so sorry for your loss. Jim was definitely one of a kind. I really admired him. I have spoken of him often with newer John Deere employees as an example of how things used to be and how we were able to build a system like DNS. Jim knew how to make a decision, and how to get things done. He was definitely someone special.

Please accept my sincere sympathy. I heard of Jim's passing and just a little of what he and all of you have been going through these past few years. Life is not easy. Thank goodness he had you all to lean on. Knowing Jim from our time at Deere showed me his fun loving but caring personality and that is what I will remember him by. Warm Regards, Vee Michalik

To Maria and the Brown family, you have my deepest sympathy. I work very close with Jim during the DNS definations. He was a Great Guy. Ronald Poneleit

Dear Maria and Family: I so sorry to hear that Jim passed away and wish to extend my sincerest sympathy for your loss. There are few things, if any, more difficult than saying good-bye to someone we have loved. I remember visiting the Dallas branch with Jim and Bob Hart for a K090 installation many years ago. Later that evening we had dinner at a wonderful restaurant and Jim ordered a salad and one dozen oysters. Not to be outdone, I ordered the same. To this day, every time I eat oysters, I think Jim because he taught me how to appreciate them. He will be missed. With my warmest regards, Ron Faria

Maria, we're so sorry to hear about Jim's passing. You and Jim's family are in our prayers. Jim was not only a great boss, but also a good friend. He will be missed.

I'm very sorry to hear about the passing of Jim. Your family is in my prayers during this difficult time. With sincere sympathy, Therese gordon

Maria You know we thought the world of Jim. He was a wonderful brother-in-law to us and we will miss him. You were such a loving support to him. Be comforted in knowing that Jim loved you and appreciated everthing you did for him.

Please accept our deepest condolences for your family's loss.