James Erskine Brown

James Erskine Brown, was born April 5, 1938, in Roanoke, Virginia. His parents moved to Wisconsin and then to Hastings, Michigan to set-up their life for their family. The Brown family then consisted of four children, and with the loss of Jim's father, his mother Valborg married Homer Bauchman who had four children, and the family grew on a farm on M43 living the great outdoor life with horses, dog kennels and a two story white farm house.
Jim began his schooling at St. Rose Catholic Grade School and then to Hastings Junior High School and on to high school graduating in 1956. During his high school years, he played football and after graduation joined the Army serving in Germany and with the Arlington Cemetery Color Guard.
Jim studied business at Davenport University in Grand Rapids and has a certificate of learning from Harvard University in urban planning. He began a new life of an entrepreneur in Hastings that continued on for years. He had three children, James Brown, III, Ross Brown, and Becky Brown, all who have been married and gave grandchildren and great grandchildren to the Brown family.
Jim married Donna Goucher several years later and they have been married for 30 years. They had an unusual wedding in Omaha, Nebraska, at the Omaha Zoo, in front of the monkey cages. It was safe and fun especially with a ride throughout the zoo with photos taken at various cages. The main reason for marrying there was that Jim was part of the Fireworks by Grucci Crew and would be putting together a fireworks show for Omaha that same week.
Firework shows were special with Jim. He and his brother Tom, from Connecticut, signed up together and took lessons on Long Island in setting up fireworks shows from the well-known Fireworks by Grucci. From then on, he and his brother traveled around the world setting up, shooting and tearing down the shows. One favorite show was a special fireworks water show in China. He even brought a fireworks show to a New Year's Evening in downtown Hastings several years ago.
Another love of Jim was the Meyer May House in Grand Rapids that was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. Jim was a host at the Home for many years and actually traveled out of state with his wife to visit several of the homes.
Jim always had a certain feeling for the political life and he served as Hastings Township Supervisor for twenty-five years. He enjoyed the position and was very proud of those living in Hastings Township and kept their needs and lifestyles in front of everything he would work on.
One of those projects became big within the environment of Hastings Township, building and setting up a station for the dumping of plastic and paper and cans in separate areas. These were picked up on a weekly basis by the local disposal company. Jim was honored through the State of Michigan Special Environment Program, winning a first place award for the recycling center.
Jim's other great love within the community was bringing environmental programs forward in Barry County schools, Barry County Conservation District, and within Pierce Cedar Creek. He designed programs for all, and they continue to be used today in the schools and organizations.
Jim is survived by his wife, Donna, three children, Jeb, Ross and Becky, lovely grandchildren and great-grandchildren, brother Tom and his wife Midge in Connecticut, his sister Trudy in Florida, and many cousins.
Jim will be greatly missed by all. The community has lost a good soul who loved Hastings. Visitation is Saturday, January 25, 2025 from 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM, with a Service at 3:00 at Girrbach Funeral Home. Military Honors provided by American Legion Post 45, Hastings, Michigan.Arrangements by Girrbach Funeral Home. To leave an online condolence visit www.girrbachfuneralhome.net.