Luke Nathaniel Brown, Jr.

Luke Nathaniel Brown, Jr. died Sunday, December 8th, 2013 of natural causes. Luke was born in McCormick, SC on November 16, 1919, to Henrietta Dorn Brown and Luke Nathaniel Brown, Sr., one of six children. He attended McCormick High School and worked part-time in Greenwood, often bicycling to work. He joined the Navy and served in the Pacific Theatre during World War II. He was injured when the ship he served upon was damaged by explosion, and returned home after being hospitalized in Germany. After joining the Navy but before being "shipped out," he met Hazel in Miami Beach, fell in love and married six weeks later, on October 13, 1942. They honeymooned in Key West for two days, and then Uncle Sam sent him to the Pacific! After returning home, he attended the University of South Carolina and graduated from USC Law School in 1951. While in school, Luke worked nights and weekends for South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (S.L.E.D.), to support his growing family. They moved to Ridgeland and Luke began practicing law with then-State Senator Henry Walker. Mr. Brown specialized in the practice of trial law in Ridgeland until 1980, at which time he became the Circuit Court Judge for the 14th Judicial Circuit of South Carolina, serving 21 years. Notably, he was the first Circuit Court Judge to be appointed from Jasper County. Until his death, Judge Brown served as a Special Referee for Jasper County. He was a member of American Lodge No. 98 of Ridgeland, SC, and Member Emeritus of The Scottish Rite Valley of Savannah. He was a member of the Omar Shrine Temple in Charleston, SC. Since graduating from USC, Luke was a staunch supporter of Gamecock athletics, having been a member of the Gamecock Club for 62 consecutive years. He was a longtime member of St. Paul's Methodist Church, teaching Sunday School and serving as Lay Leader; and a current member of Abundant Life Ministries, attending Gospel Lighthouse Church of Ridgeland. Luke's kindness and generosity were limitless, touching anyone and all who crossed his path. His philanthropic deeds allowed many to realize their dreams. He is survived by three daughters: Rhett Brown McGehee (Clark), Stephanie Brown Morton (Tom), and Pamela Brown Altman (Travis, deceased); twelve grandchildren: Dondi Wall (Theresa), Julie Wall Bowman (Barry), Kendall Wall Malphrus (Shannon), Luke Nathaniel Brown IV (Lori), Joslyn Brown, Katherine McGehee, Rachel McGehee, April Morton, Jason Morton, Nathaniel Morton, Travis Altman, Jr. (Randi), Seth Altman; - and 16 great grandchildren! He is also survived by two sisters, Natalie Brown Dennis of Moncks Corner and Thelma Brown Cooney of California. Mr. Brown was preceded in death by his wife of 61 years, Hazel Rejane Gouldon; his daughter, Sharon Brown Wall (Weldon); and son, Luke Nathaniel Brown III (Sheryl Iwanski-Brown). Funeral services will be held beginning 2:00 pm on Thursday, December 12, 2013 at Abundant Life Ministries. Burial with Masonic rites will follow in Ridgeland cemetery. A visitation will be held from 6:00 pm until 8:00 pm on Wednesday, December 11, 2013 at Sauls Funeral Home, 310 W. Adams St., Ridgeland, SC. Memorial donations may be made in his memory to Gospel Lighthouse Ministries, Ridgeland, SC or Abundant Life Ministries, Hardeeville, SC. Funeral services will be held beginning 2:00 pm on Thursday, December 12, 2013 at Abundant Life Ministries. Burial with Masonic rites will follow in Ridgeland cemetery. A visitation will be held from 6:00 pm until 8:00 pm on Wednesday, December 11, 2013 at Sauls Funeral Home, 310 W. Adams St., Ridgeland, SC. Memorial donations may be made in his memory to Gospel Lighthouse Ministries, Ridgeland, SC or Abundant Life Ministries, Hardeeville, SC.