Roby Yarnce Brown Jr.

Roby Yarnce Brown Jr. passed away peacefully at home on Tuesday September 16, 2025, after a brief stay in the Hospital followed by home hospice in Palm Bay, Florida. He was with loved ones.

Roby, affectionally called Pops by most who knew him, was born to His Parents Roby Sr. & Bessie Brown in Logan West Virginia on June 28, 1933. He was the 2nd youngest of 13 brothers & sisters. Growing up in the Great Depression & WW2, he learned the life lessons of hard work and family first that he carried with him the rest of his life. His father, Roby Sr. worked in the coal mines of Kentucky & West Virginia. His mother raised the kids and grew vegetables & did odd jobs when she was able, to help contribute. He moved frequently as his father's work took him to various mines. He met Alberta L. Wilburn, his future wife & life partner while living in South Shore, KY. He dropped out of High School at age 15 in order to help provide for his family but he later completed his GED.

In 1950 at age 17, he enlisted in the U.S.M.C during the Korean War. He served 2 years in Korea and received the Purple Heart for being wounded in action. While serving he married his sweetheart Alberta in 1951. He was discharged after 2 years and went to work at an auto factory in Cleveland Ohio. He soon decided that a career in the Military Service was his calling. In 1954 he enlisted in the U.S Navy. He served 18 years with the last 10 years during the Viet Nam conflict, mostly on Aircraft Carriers as a Boiler technician, as well as Military Law Enforcement. He retired in 1972 after 20 years combined service in Seattle, Washington.

After retirement, he moved his family to Jacksonville Florida where embarked on a 2nd career in Law enforcement. He served as a Correction Officer for Duval County Sheriffs Office. He also served as a Correction Officer at Raiford Maximum State Penitentiary. He then worked as an Federal Law enforcement Officer at JAX NAS & Mayport Navel Station for many years. In 1989 he moved back to South Shore Ky to take care of Alberta's Mother and her farm. During his time there he also served as an City LE Officer for South Shore, as well as a private Security Officer. In 2002, he & his wife moved to Palm Bay to be close to their sons, and remained there until their passing.

Roby was an extremely warm and outgoing person. He would go out of his way to help friends & family, as well as perfect strangers he had just met. He left a mark on almost everyone he met & knew, very warm & generous. He proudly served his Country, and took great pride in Service. He will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.

He is preceded by his wife Alberta 2014, Sons Roby 1985 and James 2023, his parents an all 12 siblings. He is survived by his son, Raymond Brown & his life partner, Tami Ober, 6 Grand Children - Jamie & Andy Holzem of Green Bay, Wisconsin, Maureen & Ryan Mlejnek of Rice Lake, Wisconsin, Keli Snyder of Rice Lake, Wisconsin, Anthony Marriott of Eau Clair, Wisconsin & Will Ober of St. Cloud Florida, 4 Great Grand Children and numerous Nieces and Nephews. And his dog Buddy, age 20!

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Roby's Granddaughter Maureen Mlejnek who a Not for Profit Dog & Animal rescue shelter in Rice Lake WI. Donate here at PayPal- littleredbarndogrescue@gmail.com, or contact by email for other options to pay.

Services will be at Cape Canaveral National Cemetery with full Military Honors on Friday October 24 at 230 pm.