John Allan Brown

John Allan Brown, age 86, of Thomasville, Georgia, passed away peacefully on February 3, 2026. Born on January 25, 1940, in Detroit, Michigan, he was the only child of Erschel Blakemore Brown and Mary Kathleen Brown. John married the love of his life, Anna Marie Brown, and they were married for 59 years, building a life rooted in faith, family, and partnership.

John lived a life defined by perseverance, leadership, steadfast faith, and deep commitment to those he loved.

An entrepreneur with remarkable determination, John founded Georgia Golf and Garden in 1971 with a single, well-worn semi-truck affectionately nicknamed the "GA Snail" because it was slow and had clearly seen better days. From that humble beginning, he grew the company from six employees to more than thirty employees, working around the clock, eventually expanding service from metro Atlanta into the Carolinas, Florida, Mississippi, Louisiana, Tennessee, and Alabama.

In the early years, John made sales calls by day and loaded trucks by night, embodying the tireless work ethic that became his hallmark. His reputation for reliability helped secure major accounts with Kmart, and he assisted in establishing the garden center at one of the early Home Depot locations. The company later became a primary supplier for Pike Nursery, one of Georgia's most respected garden centers.

In the early 1990s, John merged Georgia Golf and Garden with Montgomery Feed and Seed - the largest distributor in the Alabama region - forming Gro South and expanding warehouse operations into Atlanta, Montgomery, and Dothan. After decades of successful leadership, he sold the business in 2007 and returned to Thomasville - his wife's hometown and a place he deeply loved.

John was a man of strong faith who dedicated himself to both church and community. He faithfully served as both a deacon and elder at First Presbyterian Church, chairing several committees during his tenure.

John's dedication to the Rotary Club of Thomasville was especially evident when he served as president during the 2020-2021 term - a historic year marking the club's 100th anniversary and one filled with the unprecedented challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. Under his leadership, the club experienced an award-winning year and commemorated the milestone by planting oak trees along the perimeter of Paradise Park, leaving a lasting tribute to both the community and Rotary's enduring impact.

John and Anna Marie shared a love for travel, especially their dream two-week cruise through the Panama Canal, where they treasured time together, explored the world, and formed lasting friendships.

A natural teacher and mentor, John instilled in his family the foundations for success - emphasizing integrity, financial wisdom, education, and practical life skills. His guidance shaped generations.

He found joy in life's simple moments - especially welcoming Lady, a rescue dog his son found near a dumpster. She quickly became a beloved family dog.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Erschel Blakemore Brown and Mary Kathleen Brown; sons-in-law, Dennis Duncan and Greg Coward; and great-grandson, Kason Watters.

Survived by his loving wife, Anna Marie Brown; children, Tracy Jimenez (Art), Cindy Duncan (Josh), and Blake Brown (Heather); grandchildren, Devae Burgess (Scott), Holly Cole (Tim), Ethan Elliott (Ally), Loren Coward, and Rylan Lambert; great-grandchildren, Delaney Burgess, Connor Watters, Wyatt Elliott, Brooks Cole, and Colton Elliott; and nephew, Joe Hansen (Denise).

A service to celebrate John's life will be held at First Presbyterian Church in Thomasville on Monday, February 9, at 11:00 a.m., with a reception to follow.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that memorial contributions be made to Big Impact Project for Underserved Communities, Rotary Club of Thomasville, P.O. Box 1277, Thomasville, GA 31799, The First Presbyterian Church of Thomasville, 225 East Jackson Street, Thomasville, GA 31792, or to The Thomasville Humane Society, 180 Big Star Drive, Thomasville, GA 31757.

A life well lived, John Allan Brown leaves behind a legacy of faith, perseverance, and love that will continue to guide his family for generations. He will be deeply missed and forever remembered.