James Davis Brown, Jr.

James Davis Brown, Jr., 66, of Bluefield, West Virginia, passed away suddenly on March 4, 2026. Born on July 17, 1959, in Richlands, Virginia, he was known to everyone simply as “Jr.” He lived a life marked by warmth, laughter, and a remarkable ability to connect with others. Jr. never met a stranger and cherished the community of Bluefield, where he made his home and was deeply loved in return.

A graduate of Bluefield High School, Class of 1978, Jr. excelled as a student athlete. He played football and ran track, earning a place on the 1975 Beavers State Championship team and setting school records in the shot put that stood for years. He continued his education at West Virginia Tech, where he played football and became a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity.

Jr. had a special gift for bringing people together, especially through his work with the Bluefield Recreation Department, where he served for 19 years before retiring. He later retired from Mercer County Schools. Even in retirement, he remained active in the community, often seen cutting grass, raking leaves, clearing brush, or helping with whatever task was at hand. He also made daily walks a regular part of his routine.

He was preceded in death by his father, James D. Brown, Sr., his mother, Margaret Olivia Brown, his aunt, Rose Marie Moore, and his uncle, Lee Roy Brown. Those left to cherish his memory include his wife, Kimberly Brown; his daughter, Jasmine D. Brown; and his son, James Davis “Tre’” Brown, III. He is also survived by his mother-in-law, Alice C. Goforth; his sisters, Ellen Choate Barney (Harry) of Winston-Salem, North Carolina, and Lakisha Amaker Francis (LaMonte’) of Bluefield, West Virginia; his first cousins, Margaret House and Howard Moore of Winston-Salem, North Carolina; and a host of nieces, nephews, friends, and other relatives who will miss him dearly.