Donald Browning

Donald Browning passed away at the age of 97 on January 27, 2026 in Auburn, Alabama.  Don was born March 18, 1928 in Williamson, West Virginia.  He was the only child of Margaret Stokey and Gail Browning.

Don entered the US Navy in January 1946, just a few months after World War II ended.  He served for two years as a journalist.  He was later recalled to serve during the Korean War, and served as a journalist at the Great Lakes Naval Training Center in Chicago, IL.  After he was honorably discharged, he moved to Portsmouth, Ohio, where he became a firefighter.  He married Mary Margaret Webb in 1954 and settled down to raise a family. Don and Mary had two children, Mark and Anne.   He started a motor oil distributing company, Browning Distributing Company, that serviced rural gas and service stations.  Don was active in Temple Baptist Church in Portsmouth where he served as a deacon.  Don was a Scoutmaster for 25 years, starting when Mark joined the Scouts.

After Don and Mary  both retired, they moved to Houston, TX to be near their daughter.  Mary passed away in 2014 and Don then followed Anne to Titusville, Florida and most recently, Auburn, Alabama. 

Don is survived by his children, Mark Browning of Melbourne, Florida and Anne Browning Doucet of Auburn, Alabama, and their families. 

A memorial service will be held Friday, February 27 at 10:00am at the Parkway Baptist Church in Auburn, Alabama.