James R. Brown

Gilboa: James Raymond Brown, 73, of Broome Center Road, died peacefully Saturday, March 4, 2017 at the Capstone Center for Rehab and Nursing in Amsterdam, following a long battle with declining health.

Jim was born on January 24, 1944 in Stamford, a son of Irene (Buel) and Raymond Brown.

He graduated from Gilboa-Conesville Central School in 1963 and proudly served in the United States Air Force from 1963-1967.

While stationed at Westover AFB, Jim was a Tech Sergeant and crew chief specializing in maintaining KC-135 planes.   He served an additional 15 years in the Air National Guard at the 109th Tactical Air Command, in Scotia, as a Loadmaster on C-130 D-6 planes.

Jim worked as a mechanic for 8 years at General Electric but his fondest profession was in his home town.

Jim was elected and served as the Town of Gilboa Supervisor for 12 years.  He was Chairman of the County Board of Supervisors for 8 years, oversaw the 1996 FEMA buyout of properties on Stryker Road and the ribbon cutting ceremony for the new Route 990V bridge.   Jim was a committee member of the building of the Schoharie County Safety Facility, implementation of the 911 system and the renovation of the courthouse.

Jim oversaw the moving of the former Gilboa Town Hall which now houses as the Gilboa Historical Society, and the moving of the Gilboa United Methodist Church to its new location of Route 900V.  Jim served on the Delaware-Ulster Railroad committee, the Schoharie County IDA Board and Congressman Solomon and Sweeney’s committee to select candidates for the military academics for 10 years.  And he was the Executive Secretary of the Catskill Watershed Corporation where he negotiated a memorandum of agreement with New York City to repair and maintain the roads around the dam and building of the new Town Hall and salt sheds for the Town of Gilboa.

Jim was also honored to be chosen as the 2001 Schoharie County Republican of the Year.

He was Vice President and Trustee of the Keyserkill Cemetery, a member of the Broome Center Chapel,a 40 year member of the Gilboa Lodge #630 Free & Accepted Masons and a 50 year member of the Susquehanna Trail American Legion Post # 1764.

Jim was married to his high school sweetheart, Carolyn L. Brown, on August 1, 1964.  He is also survived by his daughter: Christine L. Brown of Edinburg; son: Dr. Timothy J. Brown of Denver, CO; grandsons: Richard R.B. Arnold and Curtis J.B. Arnold of Edinburg; sister: Shirley Kutzscher of Gilboa; brother: Richard (Linda) Brown of Cobleskill; several aunts, nieces, nephews, cousins and his adopted exchange student daughter: Yumiko Kaneko and her family.

A funeral service will be held at 11:00 am on Thursday, March 9, 2017 at the Coltrain Funeral Home, 134 River Street, Middleburgh, NY with Pastor Dottie Morris officiating. Burial, with Military Honors, will follow in Keyserkill Cemetery. Family and friends are also invited to a period of visitation to be held at the funeral home from 2:00 – 4:00 pm and 6:00 – 8:00 pm on Wednesday, March 8th, 2017.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Gilboa Historical Society, PO Box 52, Gilboa, NY 12076 or the Broome Center Chapel, Attn: Heidi Pickett, 109 Parsons Hill Rd, Gilboa, NY 12076.

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