Addison "Tad" Brown

Addison Lakin "Tad" Brown, age 98, of Kalamazoo, MI passed away on Thursday April 13, 2017 Addison Lakin Brown, known to family and acquaintances alike as Tad Brown, was born in Schoolcraft, MI on August 12, 1918. He was the oldest son and second child of Edward Lakin Brown and Blanche Victoria Jackson. He was preceded in death by his wife of 66 years, Caroline, sisters Mollie and Esther, brother Garry, and son Peter Malcolm Brown. He graduated from Schoolcraft High School in 1936 and from Michigan State College in 1941. He was accepted as an Aviation Cadet by the U. S. Army Air Corps in September 1941. He was united in marriage to Caroline Elizabeth Jones, June 4, 1942. He was discharged honorably as a Captain in 1946 and returned to Schoolcraft where he served on the Village Council and the Village School Board. He was employed by the General Electric Co. in Kalamazoo in 1947. He was transferred to several Indiana locations from 1955 to 1966. He was National Sales Manager for the Gravely Tractor Division until 1968. He was employed by the Wheelabrator Frye Division of the Honeywell Co. until he retired in 1983 as Account Sales Manager. Caroline and Tad made their home at the Cloisters in Kalamazoo, where Tad served on the Board of Directors for the condominium development. In their later years they moved to Leisure Pointe. Tad loved spending time at the family farm and very as well as playing golf and tennis with his wife, children and friends. Tad and his wife Caroline were also enthusiastic bridge players with their friends and neighbors throughout the years. In their retirement, they were fortunate enough to be able to enjoy 25 winters in Sun City, AZ. Their daughter, Pam with her husband Michael, sons Tim, Chris, Peter, Stephen and David were the joys of their lives. Tad lived for the daily 5 O'clock cocktail hour and frequent family gatherings. He is survived by his daughter Pamela (Michael), sons Timothy, Christopher, Stephen (Jill) and David as well as grandchildren, great grandchildren, his nieces and their families. In his own words, "It has been a good trip!"