Okley Brown

Retired Air Force Senior Master Sergeant, Okley Brown, passed away at Owensboro Regional Health Hospital on November 24, 2021. He was born on January 28, 1936 in Allen County, Kentucky to sharecroppers Belva and Maymie Brown. In his early years, Okley proved to be a precocious student who not only excelled in math, but was also a highly skilled member of the debate, football, and basketball teams as well as an active participant in FFA. After graduation, he found his ticket to opportunity in the Air Force. After spending an intellectually unfulfilling first term in Security, his eye for opportunity and strong mathematical mind led him to re-enlist in data processing, a new field with limitless potential. Within a few months, he taught himself how to program the first generation of commercial computers and was quickly promoted to lead a team responsible for the computers supporting Air Force logistics. His reputation as a capable leader led him to be recruited to Strategic Air Command (SAC), which was a top-secret division of the U.S. military's strategic nuclear strike forces. His team was responsible for the computers that could detect a nuclear strike within 20 seconds of launch and controlled the nation's land-based strategic bomber aircraft and intercontinental ballistic missiles. After 20 years of service, Okley retired from the military with the second highest rank achievable by an enlisted person. He went on to pursue a career in data processing in the private sector, where he was proud to continue working in the forefront of commercial computers While quite impressive to have Senior Master Sergeant in his title, Okley's favorite titles were Husband, Dad, and Grandpa. He loved nothing more than vacationing with his family every year at the beach. Okley is survived by Margaret Brown, his loving wife of 45 years. In addition to his wife, he is also survived by three sons: Doug Brown (Dorothy), of Tempe, Arizona, Rick Brown of Tucson, Arizona, and Matt Brown (Heather), of Sacramento, California, and one stepson, Donny Downing, of Owensboro, Kentucky. Beyond his children, Okley had nine grandchildren, six great grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews. He was a much-loved man. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his four older siblings: Will Tom, Elizabeth, Versie, and Wanda. Visitation will be at A. F. Crow and Son Funeral Home on Thursday, December 2nd, from 10 AM to 2 PM with the Funeral Service beginning at 2 PM. Burial in the Glasgow Municipal Cemetery will immediately follow the service. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Glasgow Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 101 Cumberland Street Glasgow, Kentucky 42141, where he was a member.