After a long battle with esophageal cancer, “The Great Diver in the Sky Signaled Four,” and delivered Jack Franklin Brown to his final orders. He died May 31, 2007 at his home in Oak Harbor with his beloved wife and their little toy poodle “Buttons” at his side.

Jack was born to J. Wallace and Dessie (Bell) Brown in Hanes, N.C., on Aug. 24, 1921. He entered into rest in Oak Harbor at the age of 85 years.

Jack served in the United States Navy as a gunner’s mate and deep sea diver. He enlisted in 1939 and retired in 1961, serving during WWII and the Korean War. He had an exciting and colorful career surviving the sinking of the USS Quincy at the Battle of Savo Island in 1942 and seeing action on a number of ships in the Pacific theater through the end of the war.

He was a member of a diving team that took part in attempted salvage operations of the USS Pirate and USS Pledge which were sunk in Wonsan Harbor in October 1950 in advance of the UN amphibious assault of Wonsan, North Korea. Jack loved diving. He was a qualified 1st Class Diver and was an instructor at the Navy Diving facility at Indian Head, Md. Jack’s final duty station was Kodiak, Alaska. He was proud of his service in the Navy, especially as a deep sea diver. After Navy retirement, Jack began a second career as a pipefitter, working for Public Works at NAS Kodiak. He and Elizabeth made Kodiak their home until 1975 when they moved to Oak Harbor.

Jack was an avid outdoorsman, accomplished hunter and marksman. He and Elizabeth enjoyed traveling and cruising in their retirement.

Jack is survived by his wife of 58 years, Elizabeth Jernigan Brown of Oak Harbor; his son, Timothy F. Brown; grandchildren, T.J. and Jennifer Brown of Portsmouth, Va.; brother, Charles Q. Brown of Chocowinity, N.C.; sister, Arnice Mastrodonata of Fairmont, Va.; and nephews, Charles Q. Brown, Jr., of Winterville, N.C., Thomas Humphries and Robert Humphries of Liberty, S.C.

He was preceded in death by his parents, sister Hetty Humphries, and daughter-in-law Shirley Brown.

There will be no formal services, however, friends and relatives who wish to honor his memory may do so by a contribution in his honor to their favorite charity. Arrangements have been entrusted to the care and direction of Affordable Burial & Cremation Services, LLC., of Mount Vernon.