Eugene Scott Brown

Eugene Scott Brown, PE, C.P.M., went home to his Heavenly Father on Sunday, October 6, 2024, after a full life of 83 years.  Eugene, affectionately called Scotty during childhood, began his life in Franklin County, Kentucky on the day of the 67th Kentucky Derby, May 3, 1941. Eugene (Gene) was the oldest of two children born to Eugene Hoge Brown (Snooky) and Evelyn Price (Cook) Brown (Pricey). He is survived by his loving wife of 58 years Patricia Elizabeth Barnhill Brown, daughters Diana Gunter (James Gunter, II), and Michelle Bruner (Charlie James Bruner, Jr) and son David Brown (Stephanie Capstick Brown).  Gene (PopPop) was the proud grandfather of and survived by “Our Sensational Seven”: Will Gunter (22), Elizabeth Bruner (20), Andrew Gunter (18), Sarah Bruner (18), Michael Brown (17), Samuel Gunter (15), and Katelyn Brown (15).  Additionally, he is survived by a sister Mary Evelyn Brown Palmeter (Charles Palmeter) of Kingsport, TN and multiple cousins, nieces, and nephews whom he loved dearly.

The importance of family to Gene was known to all who knew him. He met his wife Pat at a mutual friend’s Christmas Party in 1964 in Charleston, WV.  Gene and Pat began their blessed marriage in Charleston, West Virginia on September 10, 1966. Gene’s job moved the family to Victoria, TX  (1974), then Houston, TX (1976) before (after much prayer) settling in Raleigh, North Carolina (1987) near Gene’s  Uncle Dr. Maurice Cook and family.  During their marriage, Gene and Pat enjoyed visiting family and friends and watching their grandchildren’s activities. Among many things, through their actions, Gene and Pat taught their children how to show respect and love to all. Gene was a lifelong learner as well as a hard worker with many passions. His education began in a 1-12 grade schoolhouse in Bald Knob, Kentucky.  During Jr. High and High School Gene delivered newspapers seven days a week for spending money-- earning enough to help with his college expenses. Gene followed his passions by playing baseball, piano, and participating in the band playing clarinet and saxophone in Jazz Band at Franklin County High School where he graduated in the first integrated class in Kentucky.  He was offered a full music scholarship but chose to remain close to home and attend his beloved University of Kentucky.  While attending Kentucky, he continued his passions playing centerfield for the Wildcat freshman baseball team as a walk-on. As a clarinetist for the Wildcat Marching Band, he marched in the 1961 Presidential Inauguration parade for John F. Kennedy.  Later, he was pleased when his daughters (and his clarinet) marched in the 1989 Presidential Inauguration of George Herbert Walker Bush.  He also joined the Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity where he created lifelong friendships. Gene graduated in 1964 with a B.S. degree in chemical engineering from the University of Kentucky at which time he  began his career at Union Carbide Chemical Company in WV. He later earned a Masters of Business Administration from the University of Houston-Clear Lake. He has been a Registered Professional Engineer with the State of West Virginia since 1964.

Gene loved his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ .  As a lifelong Presbyterian, Gene and wife Pat were active members of the First Presbyterian Church in Charleston, WV, where they served in many capacities --Jr. High Youth Fellowship Advisors, Sunday School teachers, greeters, and various other tasks until they were blessed with two beautiful daughters.  At Webster Presbyterian Church in TX, they taught Sunday School, worked with youth and were active in the Mariners Group.  In Raleigh, they are members of Hudson Memorial Presbyterian Church where Gene enjoyed driving the elderly to Church on a rotational basis for several years.

To the benefit of many youth, Gene felt God wanted him to use his gifts to serve outside of the church. While in Houston, Gene guided and shaped young lives through coaching Little League baseball. The players took away life lessons regarding teamwork and work ethic in addition to skills on the field. Continuing his musical accomplishments, he played piano as an accompanist to band students competing in Solo competitions. He prided himself on assisting his 50 students earn 7 Excellent ratings and 43 Superior ratings. After moving to Raleigh, NC, and retiring in 2000, he volunteered his time at Rex Hospital by delivering items to various parts of the hospital. But perhaps his most rewarding acts of service were his 12 years as a substitute teacher. He took great pleasure in former students recounting lessons he taught them, which confirmed his impact on youth.

Pop Pop loved his grandchildren and took pride knowing he was instrumental in developing life skills in all of the kids. Many summers were spent at Seven Oaks Swim Club in Raleigh as Gene helped the kids perfect swimming skills and around the neighborhood leading the sensational seven on bike rides to Baileywick Park. Additionally, Gene continued to enjoy hobbies in retirement, which included golfing, working out, and swimming laps at Seven Oaks. Each one of those activities had a special group of friends with whom Dad shared memories and experiences.

Throughout his life, Gene was a blessing to others through his service and love and will be missed by all who knew him. At last, Gene is now Home.

In lieu of flowers, please consider honoring Gene by contributing to any of the following organizations:

 Tunnel to Towers

o www.T2T.org

 Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation

o https://pulmonaryfibrosis.org

 Transitions LifeCare Raleigh, NC

o https://www.transitionslifecare.org/donate