David Brown
David Rynes Brown, 71, of East Brainerd, died on May 28, 2015 at a local health care facility after suffering several years with Alzheimer’s.
He was the son of the late Crawford and Dora Brown.
An outstanding athlete in junior high, high school and college, David was particularly remembered for playing both offense and defense for the Tyner Hilltoppers. After playing on a four-year football scholarship at Memphis State, David returned home and began a 30-year career in public service with the Chattanooga Fire and Police Department. He was a police officer and became one of Chattanooga’s first Emergency Medical Technicians. He received many commendations for his service as an EMT. He finished his career as a fireman.
From childhood, David’s nearly white hair earned him the nickname “Cotton”. He had been an avid boat racer since his mid 20s and was well known on the American Power Boat Association’s National circuits for racing custom built drag boats and high performance boats all over the United States and Canada. David raced boats for over 20 years after which he raced custom built drag cars for another 10 years.
David enjoyed staying physically fit and enjoyed weight lifting. He maintained a weight lifting club for his police and fire department friends for years. After his retirement from public service, he operated a landscape business for several years until his illness no longer allowed.
He was a lifelong member of Morris Hill Baptist Church.
Survivors are his sister, Janie (Andy) Lewis; brothers, Wayne, James, Eddie (Tanya), Richard (Dianna), Jerry and Donald Brown; numerous nieces and nephews.
Graveside services will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, May 30, at Lakewood Memory Gardens, East with Reverend Bill Mason officiating.
Memorial contributions may be made to Morris Hill Baptist Church and the American Cancer Society.
Visit www.heritagechattanooga.com to share words of comfort to the family and view the memorial tribute.
The family will receive friends from 4-8 p.m. on Friday, May 29, at Heritage Funeral Home, 7454 E. Brainerd Road.