Mr. John R. Browning, Jr.

Mr. John R. Browning, Jr.

Mr. John R. Browning, Jr.

Mr. John R. Browning, Jr.
April 15 and 16, 1945 – November 12, 2019

Naples, Florida— John R Browning Jr, 74, passed away unexpectedly Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2019, surrounded by his loving family.

He was born to his very caring and loving parents John “Jack” and Ellen Browning on April 15th, not the 16th, in Willard, Ohio where he spent his formative years before moving to the Sandusky/Huron area. He lived the last several years of his life in Naples, Florida. A place he had grown to love after spending numerous years vacationing with friends and his most beloved wife Cheryl Macki Browning, who preceded him in death on April 2nd, 2003.

He enjoyed life like no one else! He loved his daily swims and walks with his beloved dog Lily, spending time with his friends, and driving around with the top down~Lily most often in the passenger seat right beside him. He was a great friend, an amazing and loving father, grandfather, uncle, and brother who absolutely cherished his time with all of us.

John is survived by his daughter, Nicole “Nikki” Payne, St. Petersburg, FL; son in law Rex Payne, Buford, Ga; His beloved and adoring grandchildren Kayla C Payne, Clearwater, FL; Makenzie Jo Payne, Buford, Ga; His sweet sister Cindy Connolly, Toledo, Oh; her sons Andrew and Seth; His beloved nieces, Heather Browning, of San Francisco, Ca; Andrea Myers, and her husband Matt, of Warner Robins, Ga; nephew Brian Blum, and his wife Betsy of Dexter, Mi; As well as several other nieces, nephews, and cousins; a plethora of cherished friends; and last but not least his beloved dog, and adoring companion Lily.

While John will be greatly missed by all of us, we find comfort in knowing that he has now been reunited with the love of his life Cheryl, and all of their dogs who they parented in their years together and preceded his recent death.

Family will be receiving friends on Friday Nov. 15, between the hours of 4-6 p.m. at Naples Funeral home located at 3107 Davis Blvd, Naples, Florida 34104. A future service (date to be determined and announced at a later time) will also be held in Sandusky, Ohio.

In lieu of flowers the family is suggesting that memorials may be made to the Naples Humane Society, www.hsnaples.org
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In Mr. Browning’s own words:

I will try to make this short and sweet, as I don’t want to bore you. Note: birthdate above. I was born at home on the 15th about 11:30pm, but by the time Mom and I got to the hospital and the doctor arrived, it was after midnight; so, the dumb doctor put 4-16-1945 on my birth certificate. End of story.

For those who know me well, know I was born in Willard, Ohio, went to school in Willard, etc., etc., etc. Those who didn’t know me well couldn’t give a damn about all the trivial information.

As I write this on 4-26-2019, none of us know if we have another day, month, year or more left on this planet. I just want to say, in my 74 years, I’ve had a great ride. I had a job that I loved and got to meet a lot of really nice people and became good friends with many of them. So, don’t weep for me Bo-Peep. Just stop and think: what other species of animal lives for 70+ years? Damn few.

I had loving and caring parents; I had wonderful dogs; two good wives; (they just had a lousy husband. Well, I wasn’t that bad, I hope.); a very lovely and caring daughter whom I am very proud of; two granddaughters that I love dearly and am also very proud of; my sweet sister, Cindy; and many great friends.

The only bad thing I can say, as of 4-26-2019, is our U.S. Congress is one big failure. 98% of them belong in hell.

Well, it’s Friday and almost 5:00pm, so I’m going to make myself a cocktail. Goodbye. – John

Condolence

Kayla Payne (John's Granddaughter)

November 13, 2019, 8:01 pm

The service will be held at Naples Funeral Home on Friday, November 15th from 4-6 PM EST.

In lieu of flowers, the family is suggesting that memorial contributions be made to the Naples Humane Society.

Elaine Ganni

November 13, 2019, 8:16 pm

John you were a hell of a friend. Jim loved you to death and I (Elaine) am so glad I got to meet you. We had such a good visit, laughing, taking Jim to look for an alligator so he could say he saw one. Our thoughts and prayers are with your family now. You will be missed by everyone that knew you. We loved you man you were one of a kind.
Jim and Elaine Ganni

Lou Cohen

November 13, 2019, 8:32 pm

Only John could put a smile on my face even on this sad day but that was John. He will be missed.

Jon Ansel

November 13, 2019, 8:36 pm

Profound insights from my dear cousin, John (that’s my name too)! Always, short, sweet and to the point. I‘ve always admired him and my Uncle Pudge, who went to school with John. Both of those guys have had a tremendous impact on me, as I grew up with them in my formative teenage years. He lived life to the fullest. He’ll be missed but never forgotten!
Jon Ansel

Larry Blankenship

November 13, 2019, 8:51 pm

Loved you brother. We had many a good time to gather that I will always remember. You will be missed by all your Willard friends and classmates. Larry Blankenship

MIKE WENNER

November 13, 2019, 9:42 pm

GOOD BY, COSMO. I AM GOING TO MISS YOU. WE HAD SOME GREAT TIMES TOGETHER LIKE THE TIME WE WENT TO FLORIDA’S DAYTONA BEACH ONE EASTER WEEK . I’LL REMEMBER “MUFFY” AND THE TRIP IN A CORVETTE WITH THREE BIG OVERWEIGHT GUYS. TELL MUFFY I SAID “HI”WHEN YOU GUYS TALK IN HEAVEN.

Phyllis Barone

November 13, 2019, 9:55 pm

I will always cherish having you in my life and remembering the wonderful moments we shared together. So happy to have been with you at the seminole casino a week before your death.
You were one of a kind and very special. There are so many friends who also loved you. You will be missed. My condolences to Nikki and your two lovely granddaughters. He loved you so much and was extremely proud of you. We are all truly fortunate to have had him in our lives. Xoxoxoxo, Phyllis

Phyllis Barone

November 13, 2019, 10:07 pm

I will always cherish the wonderful times we had together. You were so special. Phyllis

Phyllis Barone

November 13, 2019, 10:10 pm

Lucky to have met you and been a part of your life. Xo, Phyllis

Phyllis Barone

November 13, 2019, 10:15 pm

Lucky to have met and loved you. Phyllis

Phyllis Barone

November 13, 2019, 10:37 pm

XoXo

Linda Howard

November 13, 2019, 11:32 pm

RIP, John. Thanks for being so sweet to my mom and always looking after her. You will be missed.

Judith Corso

November 13, 2019, 11:38 pm

A forever friend who will be sorely missed. He is in heaven now with Cheryl. Rest In Peace dear friend,
Jim and Judy Corso

Bev Ganni

November 13, 2019, 11:58 pm

John was a great person and will be dearly missed! He was loved by many. Thoughts and prayers to each of you.

Lexy

November 14, 2019, 3:03 am

You will be missed

Jayne Browning

November 14, 2019, 2:22 pm

Nikki and family so sorry for your loss. Our prayers and thoughts are with you. John was a very thoughtful man. He had a great sense of humor . John sent a card with a small note to me every year since his brother Bob passed and kept in touch by phone. I will miss that! Love to all jayne Browning

cynthia connolly

November 14, 2019, 7:46 pm

That was John-jabs of humor, irony, sarcasm but a warm heart, generous, kind sole. He loved his Naples life and friends, treasured his “roots” and all those people intertwined. Enjoyed his Maryland hunting trips with Dad(Jack), spending time with the camp buddies,relatives. Thought Mom’s (Ellen) strawberry pie was the best. Taught me to drive a manual using his red ‘Vette- I taught him to keep his keys hid. Loved Nikki from Day1-so proud of her as a daughter, mother, student, all her professional accomplishments. And the same was being repeated with his granddaughters. Loving hands, paws have him now-reunited with so many. And deeply missed by so many here.
Cindy ( Browning ) Connolly

Nikki Browning

November 14, 2019, 9:40 pm

Obituary
When I wrote the more “traditional obituary” they removed my Dad’s original which was actually handwritten by my Dad himself on 4-26-2019 – So here it is again. For you who knew him well- and if you didn’t-well maybe you will picture a piece of him and mostly have a good chuckle!
So once again here it is:

John R Browning 4-15 & 4-16 1946

I will try to make this short and sweet, as I don’t want to bore you. Note birthdate above. I was born at home on the 15th about 11:30 PM, but by the time mom and I got to the hospital and the doctor arrived it was after midnight, so the damn doctor put four Dash 16 Dash 1945 on my birth certificate. End of story. Next linefor those who know me well, no I was born in Willard, Ohio went to school in Willard etc. etc. etc.For those who didn’t know me well couldn’t give a damn about all that trivial information. Next line as I write this on four Dash 26 Dash 2019, none of us know if we have another day, month, year or more left on this planet. I just want to say in my 74 years I’ve had a great ride. I had a job that I loved and got to meet a lot of really nice people and became good friends with many of them. So don’t wait for me Bo-Peep. Just stop and think, what other species of animal lives for 70+ years? Damn few. I had a loving and caring parents, seven wonderful dogs, two good wives, they just had a lousy husband, well I really wasn’t that bad ;)-I hope. I have a very lovely and caring daughter whom I am very proud of, two granddaughters that I love dearly and also I’m very proud of, my sweet sister Cindy and many great friends.
The only bad thing I can say as a 426 2019 is our US Congress is one big failure. 90% of them belong in hell. Next line skip a line well it’s Friday and almost 5 PM so I am going to make myself a cocktail.
Goodbye,
John

Jim Pennybaker

November 14, 2019, 11:12 pm

Will miss you Cosmo. I will always remember the night in Mansfield when we gave this guy a ride that just got out of prison. We went to a bar and he was going to buy us a drink, we had some trouble but the guy made sure we were safe. Good bye old friend till we meet again. Penny

Jim Danhoff

November 15, 2019, 7:12 pm

My thoughts and prayers to all of John’s family. Although we didn’t remain in close contact in our later years I will always remember our amazing childhood in Willard. Thousands of stories and tales that I will remember forever. Rest In Peace Cousin !

Mary

November 16, 2019, 1:28 pm

To the family, my heartfelt condolences for your loss. Please find comfort in the knowledge that soon God will wipe out every tear from our eyes, and “death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore. The former things (will) have passed away.”(Rev. 21:3,4) May this promise give you comfort now and a real hope for the future. My deepest sympathies.

Kathy Kirby

November 16, 2019, 1:43 pm

John was our neighbor for many years in Huron Ohio. We got to know him ,his wife Cheryl, and his many dogs. We were sad to see him move to Florida but, that was his plan as he retired. He was a kind and wonderful neighbor and made our neighborhood truly a better place. Our sympathy to all his family May he Rest In Peace . Fondly, Tom and Kathy Kirby and family

Larry &Judy Kobel

November 17, 2019, 12:38 pm

I always enjoyed doing business with John as he never misrepresented the product. He was the life of the party at the trade shows with a smile on his face. After our business encounters John remained a good friend with Judy and I, many times being part of our family at the Thanksgiving table. He always brought our dog treats when he would stop by to check in and catch up on our lives. John, we will miss your humor and stories, and sharing the BS that we were so good at.

See you in the next life,
Larry & Judy

Douglas E. Long, Bellevue, Ohio

December 4, 2019, 2:11 pm

Please accept my deepest condolences for your family. I found John’s obituary while trying to find his phone number, I’ve been working on our Hartzell family tree. I’ll always remember our last trip to Lima, Oh. when he worked on the railroad. It was that trip which convinced John that the railroad job was not for him.

Eternal rest grant to him, O Lord; and let light perpetual shine upon him. May his soul, and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.

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