Jack Alan Brown, Md

Dr. Jack Alan Brown, MD

Of Hastings, died in Grand Rapids, Michigan, on December 2, 2018, age 85. He was born on February 25, 1933 in La Porte, Indiana the son of Ralph Haney and Lucile (Summers) Brown. Jack attended and graduated from Rockford High School in Rockford, Michigan and from the University of Michigan as a Medical Doctor in 1957. On December 20, 1958 he married Mary Irwin. Jack practiced as a Family Physician in Rockford, Michigan, Middleville, Michigan and retired from his practice in Hastings, Michigan, in 2003.

Jack was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Hastings and sang in the chancel choir for many years. He was also an active volunteer with Habitat for Humanity in Barry County. Jack considered no job too large – or too small – if it served the mission of Habitat. He was an avid fisherman, adept at angling for everything from panfish to steelhead. Pentwater, Michigan, was a second home to him in the Fall. The fish there can now breathe easier. He was also a competitive runner, organizing many racing events in and around Hastings. He also ran in many Old Kent River Bank Runs, always finishing near the top of his age class.

Jack was preceded in death by his parents and sister Judith (Richard) Haaksma Feldpausch. He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Mary, of Grand Rapids, Michigan, daughter Susan (Ata) Brown-Shafii of Geneva, Switzerland, daughter Sarah (Kelly) Williams of Mariposa, California, son Michael (Samia) Brown of Ada, Michigan, son Tom Brown of Dekalb, Illinois, son Rex (Lisa) Brown of Hastings, Michigan, 10 awesome grandchildren he was extremely proud of and many incredible friends, especially Dr. Robert Schirmer and his wife, Georgette.

The family will receive friends from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Girrbach Funeral Home, 328 S. Broadway Street, Hastings, Michigan on Thursday, December 20, 2018. Celebration of Life Services will be held on Friday, December 21, 2018, at Green Street United Methodist Church, 209 West Green Street, Hastings, MI 49058 at 11:00 a.m. with visitation one-hour prior. There will be a luncheon following the service in the Ballroom on the third floor of the Walldorf Brewpub & Bistro, 105 E State St, Hastings, MI 49058. Memorial contributions may be made to Habitat for Humanity Barry County, 1220 W State St, Hastings, MI 49058, or Doctors Without Borders, PO Box 5030, Hagerstown, MD 21741-5030. To leave online condolences, please visit www.girrbachfuneralhome.net.