In Memorial: My Granddaddy, James Troy Brown

Written by a close camping friend, this tribute hung on the wall of my parents' bedroom from 1973 until 2012, when they moved from my childhood home. I probably read it five or six times when I lived there.  I read it differently now, though.  It speaks of a happy people person, a fellow coffee and nature lover, and a man who I see now as not simply a granddaddy, but as a true friend who left this earth too soon. 
I asked my sister, Susi, about a few details of his death, she said...It's not a big deal, she wrote about his life and influence. 
James Troy Brown, Sr. June 15, 1915- June 24, 1973

He was always ready to go camping when or before the Puddle Ducks were, most often he “got up” the campouts.  Camping was his main interest.  He retired not only because of his health, but also so that he could go camping more. Talking was a favorite of his – mainly about camping – to others – getting non-campers interested in camping.

Talking on the CB Radio was a highlight in his life – known to all around for years as “Cherokee” – he wanted non-CBers to get a two-way radio so they too could enjoy what he enjoyed.

He was a coffee drinker – not a home drinker – but one who would drive sometimes 10 miles for a cup of coffee in a public place where there would be people to talk to and fellowship with – Waffle Houses all over the South were favorite places of his.  In his younger years, he loved to ride trains – even go to New York on one – just for the ride – and his tales of such rides were fascinating.

He was interested in his friends and what they were doing – even called friends up in the middle of the night to bid farewell if leaving early on a trip – or he would go see someone off any time of day or night.  Yes, to him life was interesting and exciting, and he tried to make it interesting and exciting for others.  We all have our faults as we pass through this world – but somehow in the end only the good stands out in the minds of others.

Yes, Troy Brown lived a good life, and he’ll be missed by all who knew him.  He had a heart attack while camping near Asheville and brought the camper and Sue home before going to the hospital on Friday and died early Sunday morning, June 24, 1973. 

Troy, you’ll be missed by the Puddle Ducks at our get togethers- but we’ll continue to have them because you enjoyed them so much.  You taught us all so very much about a lot of things. 

See you in that happy camping ground!!!

Louise Sanders, Puddle Ducks of Anderson

Blog posts about my Granddaddy, Troy Brown 

My People - June 11, 2014

Campfire Television January 25, 2017

Campfire Television

My Grandmamma and Granddaddy Brown were avid campers who often took me and my sister, Susi, along.  I have fond memories and miss those times.

We started in a pop-up camper and gradually progressed to a small travel trailer with a table on one end, a tiny kitchen in the middle and a double bed on the other end. Above our snoring grandparents, Susi and I squeezed into a bunk bed where our heads hit the ceiling when we sat up. The close quarters got smaller in the morning when Granddaddy Brown woke early and boiled water for his Sanka.

This suffocating steam sent us outside to explore and play in the dirt and gravel with other camping kids.  We were never bored.  The only time I remember missing home was when Granddaddy kept a running tab in his little notebook of how much I owed him for meals while we traveled from one state park to another.  He knew I was gullible, and although he never kept a tab for Susi, I believed him and hoped my dad would pay him back for my $1.50 breakfast. 

My grandparents traveled with their camping club, The Puddle Ducks, and spent nights sitting in lawn chairs and talking either under an awning or around a campfire.  Occasionally, they'd send us kids snipe hunting.  If you don't know what that is, you've missed a great part of growing up.

When my daughter was a teenager, I willingly chaperoned her youth group, Concord Baptist, on a few rafting trips, and my favorite part of the trip was the quiet, relaxing campfire after an adventurous day in the hot sun. Without cell phones, ipods, video games or television, entertainment for three adults and eleven kids was a crackling fire, where we enjoyed each others' company and combed the woods for the perfect marshmallow toasting stick.

I remembered to buy marshmallows but forgot the graham crackers and chocolate bars; however, a toasted marshmallow between two chocolate chip cookies was a hit and became known as a "Concord" S’more. 

Several of us stayed outside for hours after the Concord S’mores were gone and watched the colorful flames grow then subside as logs burned and flames danced. We watched the logs change, fall, break, then turn to ash. More logs were added, heating our faces and providing us with more quiet entertainment as they slowly burned, diminished, and eventually crashed to the ground, throwing red sparks at our feet.  Real and unrehearsed, witnessing nature's superiority over anything manmade was far better than watching television.

My friends' fire pit

where they enjoy campfire television

This natural entertainment seems to be popular now, not just with autumn bon fires and winter fireplaces, but with cozy fire pits on our patios. It isn't easy, but hopefully we're moving our families away from technology as often as possible.  I don't intend to give up my favorite shows, but it won't hurt to watch a few hours of campfire television more often.

Turn it off and go outside,

Katy

2016 Concord Young Singles

enjoying natural entertanment