Vernon Franklin
“Brownie” Brown was born May 13, 1914, in a house on 11th and
Reed in San Jose. He died Jan. 20, 2003.
Vernon Franklin “Brownie” Brown was born May 13, 1914, in a house on 11th and Reed in San Jose. He died Jan. 20, 2003.
Vernon was a Class A PGA Club professional for 48 years. He began his golfing career as a caddie at the San Jose Country Club. Later, he took over as professional and manager of the nine-hole Gilroy Golf and Country Club in 1955. His wife, Lorraine, cooked the best hamburgers in Santa Clara County and kept the pro-shop running when Vern was on the course. Brownie was always available to young players, professional golfers, anyone who wanted lessons or tips to improve their games. In 1971 the Browns retired to Morgan Hill.
Vernon and Lorraine met playing softball for the Sunsweet Growers Women’s Team. He was the coach and she was the shortstop. They were married Nov. 8, 1933.
His other passion was softball. After work, he spent time playing fastpitch softball with the Hollister Cowboys and Western Gravel in San Jose. The Hollister Cowboys won five state softball championships and placed second at the 1941 World Championships in Chicago. Vern and wife Lorraine were elected to the Santa Clara County Softball Hall of Fame.
He was of the generation that had little formal education but with the help of life’s experiences was able to put his many creative talents to good use. There are many events and stories attributed to the Brown family in Vern’s book, “The Hands Have It” written by son, Randall.
He is survived by his wife of 69 years, Lorraine Ribisi Brown; sons Randall Brown of Arnold, Vernon Brown of Carmel Valley; granddaughter Julie Steindorf of Davis and her children Jack and Jenna; granddaughter Kristina Dyer of San Clemente and her stepson Travis and children Heidi, Lily, Noah and George; and grandson Randall Brown of Las Vegas Nev., and his sons Santino and Reno.
The family asks that any donations be made to a favorite charity.
