Business leader Brown passes at 94

Harry and Barbara Brown are shown on the cover of Georgia Petroleum Marketer in 2000. Contributed photo

Harry Brown, founder and long-time operator of Brown Oil Company in Monroe, died Wednesday.

He was 94.

J. Harry Brown Jr. came into the business naturally, as his father, John H. Brown, had operated a filling station in Monroe since 1933 and been open downtown since 1936.

In 1969, Brown established the company that would prove to be his legacy, Brown Oil Company, which served as a Mobil light oils and lubricants dealership.

The company, which still operates in downtown Monroe at the corner of Madison Avenue and Broad Street, is currently operated by Brown’s grandson, Wesley Sisk, and serves as a full-service supplier of fuels and lubricants for large corporations, mid-size and small businesses for multiple brands.

Brown was born in 1930 and was a cornerstone of the local community, graduating from the Walton County School District and attending the University of Georgia.

He also served in the Georgia National Guard from 1948 to 1963.

Growing up, he worked at his father’s filling station and he remained within the oil and fuel industry all his life. 

In addition to opening Brown Oil, he also served for 10 years on the Georgia Oilmen’s Board of Directors and Chairman of the Board in 2000.

A lifelong resident of Walton County, Brown married Barbara Kilgore, of Social Circle, and had two children, Al Brown and Donna Brown Sisk.

Monroe Mayor John Howard remarked on Brown’s passing on Facebook, saying Brown’s loss was a blow to the city and to him, personally.

“One of the tough parts about getting older is losing one’s heroes,” Howard said. “Harry Brown certainly was one of mine. He was a longtime friend of my family and a longtime friend of Monroe. In 1972, Harry flew with Neal Hamm, from the Farmer’s Bank, to (New York City) to convince the president of Exxon to get oil and gas to Monroe. He made sure that our fair city and county (especially, our public safety) was able to continue operations. In his honor, our flags will be lowered to half-staff until the evening of his interment. Rest in peace, Harry! Thank you for a life well-lived!”