Gary Rollins Brown

BROWN, GARY ROLLINS-age 79 of Knoxville died Wednesday, January 28, 2026. He attended Farragut High, Hiwassee, and Tennessee Wesleyan Colleges. Gary spent his professional career with Kraft Foods, retiring in 2001 and returning to Knoxville, having lived and worked in Oakland and San Ramon, Ca., Atlanta, Ga., Charleston and Greenville, S.C., Glenview and Northfield, Ill., Charlotte, N.C., and Johnson City, TN. Gary managed promotional and marketing events for Kraft at the Atlanta Braves, Atlanta Falcons, NASCAR events in Charlotte and Atlanta, and the Atlanta Marathon Road Race. He also worked in various sales management capacities, and worked integrating acquired businesses into Kraft, such as, Sealtest, Oscar Mayer, General Foods, Birdseye, Tombstone Pizza, Carroll Shelby Chili Mix, Celestial Tea and Starbucks retail coffee. He was a lifelong member of Concord United Methodist Church. He was a U.S. Army Veteran, serving in the Vietnam War during 1966–67, and was a Life Member of the Disabled American Veterans, Chapter 24, Knoxville. Gardening and the Outdoors was his passion. He was also a vendor member of F.A.R.M. Retail Marketing. He was devoted to his God, country, family, friends, and Kraft. He was a loving Uncle to his many nieces and nephews. Preceded in death by sister, Gay Brown Blair; brothers, Eddie and Jerry Brown; mother, Rosa Lee Brown; and father, Edwin C. Brown. He is survived by his brother, Don Brown; and his sister, Fay Brown Burnette. Graveside services will be held at on Sunday, February 8, 2026 at 2:00 pm at Edgewood Cemetery, Gallaher View Road, Knoxville with Full Military Honors. Memorials in lieu of flowers can be made to Ben Atchley State Veteran Home Knoxville or Holston Home for Children, Greenville, TN. Rose Funeral & Cremation – Mann, in Bearden is in charge. Online condolences may be made at www.rosefuneraltn.com