Edward Addison Brown

Edward Addison Brown passed away at Trinity Oaks Skilled Nursing on Saturday April 18, 2026 at age 97. The son of Johnnie Heilig Brown and Dodd Addison Brown, Edward Addison Brown was born July 14, 1928 and raised in Salisbury, NC. Following his graduation from Boyden High School he attended NC State. He left NC State and volunteered to join the United States Air Force. He completed Basic training at Lackland USAF-AFB. He graduated from Office of Special Investigations Training School in Washington, D.C. He was appointed as OSI Special Agent stationed at Langley AFB. He was assigned to OSI-USAFE to Rhein-Main AFB. Later he was stationed at Rabat, Morocco and Nouasseur AFB (Casablanca) Morocco. He served as an OSI Special Agent for over three years overseas in Germany to Morocco. After returning from his military duty Ed attended and graduated from UNC-Chapel Hill. He was then commissioned an LTJG in the US Naval Reserve Intelligence attached to Norfolk, VA Naval Operating Base. He was Commanding Officer of several Intelligence units in the Norfolk area. He was Reserve Intelligence Area Commander, Area 15, Norfolk, for all area 15 Intelligence units. After 28 years in Naval intelligence, he retired as Captain USN. While Ed was in the Naval Reserve, he returned to his business career at W.A. Brown & Son, Inc. Ed Retired as CEO and President in 2010, the 100th Anniversary of the family-owned business. His best memories are all of the wonderful people he worked with over the years. Ed has also been an active Civic leader. He is a Past President of the Salisbury Rotary Club, Past Board Member for: Salisbury Jaycees, the Chamber of Commerce, Historic Salisbury Foundation, the Salvation Army, Security Bank, Brown Fisher Association, Piedmont Players and was a Trustee Emeritus for Catawba College. He was also a member of the Andrew Jackson Masonic Lodge, Oasis Shrine, Scottish Rite, and Rowan Shrine Club. He received his 75th Year Masonic Award December 11, 2025. In addition to supporting and attending the local Arts in Salisbury, his favorite activities were traveling, collecting and enjoying Fire apparatus, and visiting mechanical music equipment exhibits. He shared his fire trucks and Calliope with the public through involvement with parades and other local events. The 1914 American LaFrance, he restored with Kenny Spry, has been in the Holiday Caravan Parade since 1975. Ed is survived by his four children: Brynn and husband Mark Puckett; Paul and wife Melissa Brown; Dodd and wife Rebecca Brown; Marmee and husband John Senior. He has seven grandchildren: Kristina (husband Micah) Deloache, Patrick (wife Kelsey) Brown, Kerry Puckett, Larsson Puckett, Hanna Brown, Ashton Brown, William Senior; and four great-grandchildren: Emily and Elizabeth Deloache, Claire and Madeline Brown. Ed’s family is very appreciative of the care that Trinity Oaks provided for him during his time there. The staff of the Assisted Living and the Skilled Nursing helped to make his years there very enjoyable. Although Ed lived a very public life in Salisbury, it is the desire of the family that his final journey be an intimate celebration with his immediate family. In lieu of flowers, the family requests a contribution be made to the Brown Family Fire Protection Technology Endowed Scholarship at Rowan Cabarrus Community College Foundation, PO Box 1595, Salisbury, NC 28145, or in memory of Edward Brown to the North Carolina Transportation Museum Foundation, PO Box 69, Spencer, NC 28159, Attn: Betsy Mowery. Summersett Funeral Home is serving the Brown family. Online condolences may be made at www.summersettfuneralhome.com.

Edward Addison Brown

July 14, 1928 - April 18, 2026