05/21/2026
*As a preface, please note the Archives will close tomorrow, 5/22, from 1:15-3:15 for the visitation and services. We apologize for any potential inconvenience.*
On behalf of myself (Jamesan), Jessie, and Lisa, we at the TU Archives are profoundly saddened by the passing of sweet Mr. Walter Brown.
I had the great pleasure to serve with him on the Archives Records Advisory Board, for which he was a longtime member, and the City's Historic Preservation Commission.
Like many have said, Mr. Walter was a fantastic human being. He always had a neat story to tell about local history, was usually the first person to give a compliment for a job well done, and never hesitated to volunteer his help. I remember several years ago I needed some assistance in cleaning out our storage room at the Archives, so I asked my board members if any were interested. Mr. Walter and Mr. Jimmy McKinley (both in their 80's mind you), offered. Of course, that is just the type of people they were!
Mr. Walter's dad owned the City Dairy, with the first location on Church Street, where Peacock Feathers is today, and later with a much larger location on the site of what is today's Thomaston Hardware. The enlarged plant also featured Freezer lockers, the first location of its kind in town!
He was so proud talking about his daddy, Mrs. Mary Jo, and his family.
If any Boy Scout or Girl Scout troops happen to read this, I'd like to mention an idea of his, mentioned several times over the years. As a boy, Walter was neighbors with Mr. Shed Carswell, who was the co-owner and co-editor of The Thomaston Times. MANY of our historical images of the town taken during the 1940s came from Mr. Carswell. We wouldn't have these wonderful views of many old businesses if it weren't for him. For that reason, Mr. Walter thought it would be great if scouts could continue taking pictures downtown over time, so they can be preserved for posterity. :)
Lastly, I'd like to share the sweetest little article I'd found while rummaging through the 1945 Thomaston Times. Given Mr. Walter's family relationship with Shed Carswell, I think it was out of fondness this was published on the front page. I'd shared this with him years ago when I first found it, and remember he was so tickled to read it. (I'll post the actual article in the comments)
"Melon Produced Overnight Makes Walter Happy" - Walter Brown, 5-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. Lewis Brown, who is cultivating 8 watermelon hills in his backyard was quite happy Sunday morning to find a full grown and ripe melon in his patch. It didn't make any difference to him that the vine was not attached, it was in his patch. And it is presumed that it would not have made any difference if he had known his daddy had bought it and placed in the patch the night before, because he still got it from his patch.
We will greatly miss you, Mr. Walter! Prayers to Mrs. Mary Jo and family.
View Mr. Walter Lewis Brown, Jr.'s obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.
