LifeNotes: Floyd Brown, Father of Sony’s Allen Brown
Floyd David Brown
Floyd David Brown, father of Sony Music Nashville Vice President, Media & Corporate Communications, Allen Brown, passed away on Friday, May 8.
He was 91 and a lifelong resident of Emmett, Idaho.
Known as “Brownie” to many, Floyd was born to Allen Albert Brown and Hazel Fern Wills Brown on October 30, 1923, in Emmett, a quaint town in a scenic valley near Boise.
Floyd married high school sweetheart Evelyn “Evie” Mae Walker on June 9, 1943. He then served in the Navy during World War II mainly in the Asiatic-Pacific area, where he acquired short-wave radio experience. Upon his return home, Floyd caught the “radio bug” that would stay with him throughout his career. In 1946, he opened an electronic sales and repair business and named it Brown’s Radio Shack (before the Tandy Corporation retail chain was established). Later, the business name was updated to Brown’s Radio & TV Shack, and services expanded to include TV, audio equipment, records, tapes and guitar sales and TV repairs. Floyd’s right hand and business partner was wife, Evelyn.
He fulfilled a lifelong dream and built KMFE-FM 101.7, which went live on-air in 1973. This 1,000 watt “Mom and Pop” business was the first FM station in the greater Boise area to program country music. Hosted by Floyd, KMFE’s “Comfy Barndance” was a popular live weekly radio show which showcased local vocalists and musicians. Through 1983, Floyd’s roles at KMFE included DJ, chief engineer and President of Emmett Valley Broadcasters, Inc. His wife Evelyn, son Allen, son-in-law Mel Gunter and nephew Ray Shaw, also worked a number of years at the station.
Floyd Brown was extensively involved in and acknowledged by the Emmett community, including the Lions Club, Gem County Chamber of Commerce, Walter Knox Memorial Hospital, Optimist Club, W.I.C.A.P. (Western Idaho Community Action Program), Gem Country Historical Society, Our Redeemer Lutheran Church and a local hospice volunteer. Since his service in the Navy, Floyd was an active member of the American Legion Post 49 and Veterans of Foreign Wars.
He was preceded in death by Evelyn, his wife of 67 years. Floyd is survived by his four children David Brown (Harpster, Idaho), Sue Brown Gunter married to Mel Gunter (Emmett), Allen Brown (Nashville, Tenn.) and Sherry Brown Doyle married to Michael Doyle (Canyon Lake, Texas); his three grandchildren and their spouses and six great grandchildren.
Viewing will be held on Friday, May 15, 2015, at The Potter Funeral Chapel, 228 East Main St., Emmett, Idaho 83617, from 3 to 8 p.m., with the family receiving friends from 6 to 8 p.m.
Services will be held on Saturday, May 16, 2015, with committal at the Emmett Cemetery, 1205 North Washington Ave., Emmett, Idaho 83617, at 1 p.m., followed by a memorial service at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, 401 South Hayes Ave., Emmett, Idaho 83617, at 2 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made in Floyd Brown’s name to any of the following charities or the charity of choice: Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, P.O. Box 457; Gem Lions Club, P.O. Box 902; Gem Country Historical Society, 501 East First St.—all charities are in Emmett, Idaho 83617.
“This is a photo I took Friday evening captioned, ‘As sundown approaches outside and inside the window of my dad’s room.’ Hope you enjoy this scenic view of the outskirts of my hometown, Emmett, Idaho, and sense both the peace and awe I felt when I experienced it like I never had before. Shortly after this sundown, my father left this world to be with the Lord and reunite with my mother.”– Allen Brown
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