Joseph Wayne "J.W." Brown, Sr. age 66, passed away Monday, May 16, 2022, at his home in Eucheeanna, Florida. A lifelong resident of Walton County, an Air Force veteran and a 38-year retired law enforcement officer, he mostly enjoyed working in his workshop and on property, along with the occasional trip to AMVETS Post 178 for karaoke and fellowship with friends and fellow veterans where he was a member since 2011 and once commander of the post. After graduating Walton High School, Wayne went to work with the Walton County Sheriff's Department in 1974 as a dispatcher and later attended the Police Standards Academy with then Sheriff L.S. "Sam" Campbell, and first became a certified law enforcement officer. This took him to many future jobs to include DeFuniak Springs Police Department and Panama City Beach Police Department in Florida. He then sought Alabama certification and held positions with Columbia Police Department as Chief, and Hartford, Samson, Florala and Ariton Police Departments, stating that he loved the "Mayberry" atmosphere of the small towns of Alabama, making it easy to both do his job and interact with the people, especially the youth of the community whom he was always trying to bridge the constant gap with law enforcement. He was last employed with New Brockton Police Department as an investigator and public resource officer. He retired after the passing of his wife, Teresa, in 2010 after 30 years of marriage.
Wayne is also preceded in death by his parents, Joseph E. "Ed" and Stella Brown; a special aunt Myrtle Bray; and one grandson, Ryan Spencer Amason.
Wayne is survived by five children, Noble Spencer Amason of Paxton, Amy Michelle Madden and husband Charlie, Joseph Wayne Brown, Jr. and fiance Felicity Baxter of Eucheeanna, M.J. Squires and husband Johnathan, US Army, and Daniel Ruben Brown, Sgt. First Class US Army; nine grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held beginning at 2 p.m., Tuesday, May 24, 2022, in the chapel of Davis-Watkins Funeral Home, 1474 State Highway 83 North, DeFuniak Springs, Florida 32433. A time of visitation will be held one hour prior to the service. Committal services will follow at Walkers Rest Cemetery in Eucheeanna with military honors provided by the United States Air Force. A time and date of the memorial draping ceremony at Amvets Post 178 will be announced in the future. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations to Amvets Post 178 are appreciated.
Arrangements and services are under the direction of Davis-Watkins Funeral Home of DeFuniak Springs.