Virgil Brian Brown passed away on Thursday, March 2, 2023, in hospice care after a brief battle with cancer. Brian was 66 years old.

Brian was born as the third child of Virginia and Virgil Brown on April 4, 1956, in Martinez, GA where he was raised alongside his two older sisters, Beth and Jane. Brian attended Evans High School and was a man of many trades in the years following his graduation in 1974. After starting his first job at the age of 15 at Thomas L. King Funeral Home and Ambulance Services, Brian worked as an EMT and as a Deputy with the Columbia County Sheriff's Department for 16+ years. In his tenure at the Sheriff's Department, Brian was given the opportunity to train as a K9 Officer with police dog, Blitz. He thoroughly enjoyed his time as Blitz's handler and fondly recalled their times together for years afterward. He took pride in his work of 10 years as a groundskeeper at Hard Labor Creek Golf Course in Social Circle, GA before moving back to Martinez. He worked briefly at Master Buick GMC before settling into retirement in 2018.

Although Brian did not have children of his own, he took great delight in his nieces and nephew, and later his great-nieces and nephews and regaled all friends and co-workers with tales of their exploits. He loved dogs, in particular his two favorite boys Max and Van that belong to his sister Jane, and loved visiting with them as often as he could. He was an avid Georgia Bulldog and NASCAR fan, and very much enjoyed watching the Food Network in his later years. He could tell you exactly where you should eat in just about any town after faithfully watching many episodes of Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives! Brian definitely had the "gift of gab" and always enjoyed good conversation alongside a good meal. His favorite holidays were Thanksgiving and Christmas because they combined two of his greatest loves, home-cooking and family.

Brian was preceded in death by his parents, Virginia and Virgil Brown, and his brother-in-law, Larry Saunders. He is survived by his beloved family, including his sister, Beth Saunders of Portal, GA; his sister, Jane (Glen) Roberson of Evans, GA; his nieces, Leighann (Arnie) Page of Portal, GA, and Jenna Roberson of Savannah, GA; his nephew, Matthew (Jennifer) Roberson of Martinez, GA; his great-nephews, Rus Page of Raleigh, NC, and Kyle Page of Statesboro, GA, and his great-nieces, Ansleigh Page of Statesboro, GA, and Maggie Roberson and Anna Claire Roberson of Martinez, GA.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Brian's honor to Columbia County Humane Society and the American Cancer Society.

Graveside services will be held at 11:00am on Saturday, March 18, 2023, at Bellevue Memorial Gardens, 4501 Wrightsboro Road, Grovetown, Georgia 30813.