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John Brownlee Obituary
Family-Placed Death Notice
JOHN HARRELL BROWNLEE John Harrell Brownlee was a man of great spirit and enormous intellect. He was devoted to family and friends and lived his life with integrity and generosity. His mind was quick and keen, entertaining friends with wit and humor- tackling challenges at work with insight and ingenuity. Born July 9, 1956 to John Lawrence Brownlee and Betty Harrell Brownlee, he was a National Merit Scholar and a summa cum laude graduate in Electrical Engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology. He had a long, distinguished career in the area of telecommunications. During John's career, he worked several years with Nortel in Norcross, GA, focusing in digital design of Nortel's AccessNode product. Later, John worked 10 years with Ciena Corporation in Alpharetta, GA, where he helped advance technology in the long-haul transport and core switching areas. As a testament to his contributions as an engineer, he is the holder of numerous patents and awards. Not only was John highly respected by his peers, but was also loved by all who worked with him. John lived courageously with cancer for many decades, refusing to allow the disease to dominate his life. He leaves to cherish his memory his beloved wife, Anita Wathen Brownlee; mother, Mrs. John Lawrence Brownlee; brother, Bruce Cresswell Brownlee and Susan Neighbors Brownlee and niece Audrey Laurel Brownlee; sister, Amanda Brownlee Rice and husband John Francis Rice and nephews Daniel Patrick and Jonathan Lawrence Rice; and many other relatives and a host of devoted friends. Funeral Services will be at Holy Cross Catholic Church in Atlanta. Family and friends will receive visitors Monday, August 20th from 6:00-7:45PM with a service to follow at 8:00PM. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated Tuesday, August 21st at 11:00AM, with a burial service the following day at Fain Cemetery on Dews Point Road in Calhoun, Georgia. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that remembrances be made to the John Harrell Brownlee Memorial Scholarship Fund Georgia Institute of Technology, 177 N. Avenue, Atlanta, GA 30332, attention Jeanne McKown, Associate Director Development Stewardship. R.T. Patterson Funeral Home 770-923-2940
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for John Brownlee
Amanda Brownlee Rice
August 15, 2008
It has been a year now since my dear brother passed from this life to glorious eternity. He has certainly been missed by all. Thanks to all of you for these rememberances of Johnny. Also thanks to the Atlanta friends for continued care and support for Anita. I am so proud of her courage during this past year of mourning. I am so thankful God brought Johnny and Anita together for a happy, though short marriage. As Johnny said to the family last year in his unbelievable "Good-Bye" address - he was confident he and Anita will have all eternity together. God Bless you all and thank you for your thoughts and prayers.
Becky (Tarkington) and Jimmy Craig
October 3, 2007
John,
We both always will remember your tall, lanky form topped with your gorgeous red hair strolling down the halls of DHS full of vim and vigor. Your amazing observations of life, your incredibly insightful wit, and your inclusive manner to all those around you will be missed! Memories of high school car pool and visits to our church youth group always will be remembered. Jimmy was so very glad to visit with you at the reunion several years ago. Our condolences to your family on earth.
Felipe Rojas
August 27, 2007
Recordada Anita,
Es con un profundo dolor que escribo estas líneas; y aunque aun me es difícil comprender la magnitud de nuestra perdida, se que John finalmente se ha liberado de los males que le acosaban. John fue mi consejero, mi entrenador y mi compañero de trabajo, pero por encima de todo el fue uno de esos amigos que tienen la habilidad de llegarnos al alma, por su sencillez y afecto hacia sus amigos. Tuve el privilegio de conocerlo en 1987 cuando Ana y yo nos mudáramos a Atlanta, y desde entonces siempre fuimos muy buenos amigos; Ana y yo tenemos particularmente una gran deuda con el, ya que nunca olvidaremos la ayuda incondicional y desinteresada que nos brindara durante los años en que Ana estuvo enferma. Aunque me resulta imposible el aliviar tu pena, se que John siempre estará con nosotros en espíritu. Amigos para siempre.
Douglas Kraul
August 24, 2007
John and I shared many happy times at Ga Tech, during our times as young engineers in Texas, and while we worked together in Atlanta. His generosity and good humor exceed that of any other person I have ever met. His spirit and zest for living could not be dampened, no matter what twists fate dealt him. The footprints he left are indelible. I have many memories of John that will always keep him alive in my heart. He was an original and the world is less than it was when he was here.
Doug
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Doug Foster
August 22, 2007
Dear Anita,
I enjoyed working with JB at Ciena. He was a good man. I'm sorry for your loss. You and your family are in my prayers.
George Freeman
August 22, 2007
I always suspected that John was not from this world but was sent here to help us be better. I have never experienced such brilliance, kindness, and generosity in a single human.
We are all diminished by his passing, but we were so very graced by his living.
Charlie Thompson
August 21, 2007
John was one of my best friends and like a brother to me. I'll always cherish the memory of working with John both in college as well as in our professsion. He was a jewel of a man and will be sorely missed.
Fred Rowe
August 21, 2007
John, you will be missed in this life. You always took the time to speak and connect to me and I always appeciated it. I wish I could be more like you. This life wasn't easy for you, but the weight of glory is yours now!
Fred Rowe
August 21, 2007
John, you will be missed in this life. You always took the time to speak and connect to me and I always appeciated it. I wish I could be more like you. Tis life wasn't easy for you, but the weight of glory is yours now!
Calvin McBride
August 21, 2007
While I was trying so hard in high school to be cool, John was naturally cool. He never met a stranger and always kept me in stitches with a never ending flow of one liners. He will be greatly missed by everyone who knew him. My prayers and condolences go out to the family.
Ramon and Ligia Guevara
August 21, 2007
Anita,
Ligia and I will always cherish the friendship that we had with John.
We are very sorry and sad for his passing.
I feel honored to have worked with him and to be considered his friend.
My years in Atlanta will always bring to memory the conversations that always brought John's special humor and positive look to life.
We will miss him.
Raymond Buck
August 20, 2007
Although I haven't seen John since high school, I remember with fondness our time on the Scholar's Bowl Team and math club events. Friends who knew John at Tech knew the same witty, intelligent guy. He will be missed. Thoughts and prayers are with you.
Robin Moore
August 20, 2007
Anita,
There are no hidden qualities that will come forth from all John's friends. He was out-front in a trustful, endearing way. When I recovered from the traffic collision and John overcame Hodgkin's, we felt a sort of supernatural connection. I still do. Don't let me close without saying how fortunate he was to have you.
Love Always,
David Dworkin
August 20, 2007
Anita,
Please accept my condolences on Johns passing. In the brief time I got to know him, spending time with him was a joy. He would say to me and others, "I'm not going to waste time having a bad day." John was a joy to be around and I'm blessed to have had the opportunity to meet him.
Steve Commander
August 20, 2007
When I think of John I think of a the word "epitome". This was an impressive word he taught us to use in about the 9th grade. John was a good friend and neighbor many years ago and I hope these many messages of friendship help get you through this time.
Mac McVicker
August 19, 2007
Dear Anita and all of John's family,
I first met John when we worked at Data General in Austin, TX, in 1978, as recent EE grads (GA Tech & TX Tech). His considerable engineering ability and acumen was obvious from the beginning, but his best qualities were his sense of humor, his always positive outlook on life, and calm demeanor in all situations. I later had the extremely good fortune to hire John to work at Nortel (aka Northern Telecom). We shared a love for the outdoors, and had many great backpacking trips in the North Georgia mountains over the years, and his outlook on life was an inspiration to anyone who knew him. Anita, you were married to a great guy!
Mac & Stella McVicker
Mary Saums
August 19, 2007
John was such a funny and intelligent guy. Like others here, I also smile whenever I think of him. He had a gift of making others feel comfortable. He was a fine person and will be missed.
Toby Davis
August 19, 2007
There is no doubt that John has the angels in heaven rolling in the aisles with his quick wit and humor. Knowing him from high school and talking with him 3 years ago at our 30 year class reunion, he always had me laughing. Thats a good thing as we all know laughter is the best medicine. Thanks John for keeping us smiling. You will be missed here on earth, but you will always keep us smiling when we think of you, and we will share more laughs when we all get to heaven.
Amanda Kruidenier Giffin
August 19, 2007
I was thinking of the Brownlee family this morning in church...years of service, especially from Betty, and fun as kids at St. John's in Decatur. Your loss of John is great....I'm so sorry.
John & Jo Stumpf
August 19, 2007
Dear Karen:
You are in our prayers and thoughts.
John & Jo Stumpf
Mary Ann and Ben Dunkin
August 19, 2007
Anita -
We were so sorry to learn of John's untimely passing. You have our love and prayers. It was so much fun playing Mexican Train with the two of you when we were visiting Denese and Brian. That is a very good memory for us.
Mary Ann and Ben Dukin
Jim Dykes
August 19, 2007
I was sorry to hear of John's passing. He was always cheerful and spirited in high school, no matter what the class. May you find comfort and strength during this time of sorrow.
Kin Copeland
August 18, 2007
What a generous, bright, witty person. I always enjoyed talking to John, I considered him a friend. Our prayers are with the family.
The Scott Family
August 17, 2007
Our condolenses to your family. May you all find comfort in Jehovah Gods promise of a resurrection.
Steve Armistead
August 17, 2007
To John's Family,
When I think of John Brownlee, I can't help but smile...and personally, I believe that is the greatest legacy a person can leave behind. He was a good man and my condolences to his entire family.
Katie Alexander
August 17, 2007
With my deepest smypathy this brings a prayer that the Lord will hold you close and that you will be comforted by the love of family and friends during this difficult time. I know you will miss John greatly, but thank God for the memories, his accomplishments and and all the smiles. With Sympathy - God bless you with more Grace and Peace for you and all the members of your family. With His love and mine.
Dot Quinn
August 17, 2007
Dear Betty: My sympathy and love
to you and family at this stressful
time.
Dot Quinn
Decatur. Al
Terri Thompson
August 17, 2007
Dearest Anita,
You can be sure that John's precious memory will live on in Charlie and I's memories. We will always remember him with a smile on our faces and hearts. I thank God that we were lucky enough to know him. You are in our prayers.
Terri and Charlie
Kathy Harland
August 17, 2007
To John's Family,
I knew John in high school and he always had something witty and funny to add to any conversation. I know how much you will miss him, but you will always have great memories of him.
Leigh Anne (Sims) Bolan
August 17, 2007
Amanda,
I am so sorry for your lose. You and your family will be in my prayers.
Loyd Potter
August 17, 2007
Bruce,
I'm sorry to hear of the loss of your brother. May God bless you and your family.
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