George “Tom” Browning

KEYSER, W.V. - George “Tom” Thomas Browning, 82, of Keyser went to be with the lord after a lengthy illness on Wednesday, November 4, 2009 at WMHS Memorial Campus, Cumberland, MD with his wife and daughter and son-in-law by his side.

Born November 4, 1927 in Mineral County, West Virginia, he was the son of the late George F. and Margaruite (Tasker) Browning. He was also preceded in death by one sister Betty (Murphy) Browning and two brothers James A. Browning and Charles H. Browning, all of Keyser.

Surviving are his loving wife of 32 years Shirley (Kist) Browning , one sister Albert Moats of Aurora, W.Va.; one son Daniel F. Browning and wife Theresa of Nitro, W.Va.; one daughter Diana Barbera and husband Nunzio “Ernie” of Keyser; two stepdaughters, Melissa Battin and husband Brian of Columbus, Ohio and Joyce Saunders and husband Frank of St. Marys, GA; a stepson Lee Buchanan and wife Karen of Philadelphia, PA; a special nephew Jim Browning and wife Sandy of Kitzmiller, MD; a very special cousin Jan Biser and husband Charles of Keyser; three grandchildren and two great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

Mr. Browning was a 1945 graduate of Keyser high school and a thirty-two year retired United States Navy veteran after serving aboard numerous submarines. He was a veteran of World War II, Korean Conflict and Vietnam War. He served faithfully & honorably and retired June 1, 1979 as Chief Mess Management Specialist Naval Amphibious Base Little Creek, Norfolk, VA. After retirement from the United States Navy in Norfolk, he became an instructor for Tele-media in Norfolk. Then when Mr. Browning retired from Tele-media, he and his wife moved to the Keyser area. Here he enjoyed hunting and playing cards with his many friends at the VFW Club in McCoole, MD.

Mr. Browning was a lifetime member of Queens Point Memorial Post #6775 VFW, McCoole and held office as post Jr. Vice Commander from 1997 to 1998. He was also a member of the American Legion Boyce Houser Post #41 in Keyser.

Friends will be received at the Markwood Funeral Home, Keyser, on Saturday, November 14, 2009, from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Funeral Services will be conducted in the funeral home on Sunday, November 15, 2009 at 2 p.m. with the Reverend David Hattenfield officiating.

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations be made in memory of Tom Browning to Shriner’s Philadelphia Hospital for Children, Ali Ghan Shrine Club, P.O. Box 1416, Cumberland, MD 21502.

Internment will be in Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, VA on Wednesday, December 23, 2009 at 1 p.m. where full military honors will be accorded.

A memorial service by the Queens Point Memorial VFW Post #6775 and Boyce Houser American Legion Post #41 will be held at the funeral home on Saturday at 7 p.m.

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