James T. Jr. Brown

BROWN, James T. Jr.
of Portage, Michigan Beloved partner, son, brother, uncle, great uncle, professional, friend, and volunteer, James died on Sunday May 20th, 2012 in Kalamazoo, MI. He was born March 5th, 1953, in Mineola, NY, the son of James T. and Virginia E. Ferron Brown. James began his career in the marketing department of Paramount Pictures. After 9 years in northwest Connecticut managing a country inn and finishing his degree from the Univ. of Connecticut, James returned to New York City in 1987 to work for Arlen Communications where he rose to the position of Senior V.P. He left Arlen to form BergerBrown Communications where he was partner and president until his early retirement due to health in 2001. After serveral years in both St. James and Mt. Sinai, New York, James moved to Portage Michigan in 2008. Throughout his life and career, James was a true and generous friend to many, a member of several professional organizations, and a dedicated volunteer and board member of numerous charitable organizations. James was preceded in death by his parents and both sisters, Patricia Brown Bevis and Penelope Brown Schmitt. He is survived by: his life partner, Charles R. Tomlinson of Portage; two brothers-in-law, Neil Deborah Bevis of Harvard MA, and Paul Schmitt of Smithtown NY; seven nieces and nephews, Elizabeth Schmitt, Rebecca Schmitt Jim Smirk, Brian Katherine Schmitt, Dan Meghan Schmitt, Brad Sarah Bevis, Tate Andrea Bevis, and Christopher Sarah Bevis, great nieces Emma Smirk and Hayden Schmitt, and great-nephew Rhett Bevis. James is also survived by Charles': father, Richard Kathleen Tomlinson of Portage; brothers, William Patricia Tomlinson of Kanye, Botswana, and Stephen Tomlinson of Connecticut; and nieces and nephews Margaret, Kathleen, Rudisang, Miles and David. Cremation has taken place and memorial services will be held this summer. Inurnment will be in St. James Episcopal Church Cemetery, in St. James NY. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to WMU Theater Guild, CARES, the Kalamazoo Gay and Lesbian Resource Center, or the charitable organization of your choice. Arrangements were made by Langeland Family Funeral Homes, Portage Chapel, 411 E. Center Ave.