Lt. Col. Jeffrey Fred Brownlow

Retired Lt. Col. Jeffrey Fred Brownlow of Vicksburg, MI passed away at home under the care of Centrica Hospice on Friday, January 20, 2023, at the age of 76. He was born in Walton, England on June 18, 1946, the son of Isaac and Jean (Yates) Brownlow. 

He attended Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School in New Jersey graduating in 1964. Following graduation he went on to The Citadel Military College of South Carolina graduating in 1968 with a Bachelor’s degree in political science. In early 1969 he entered the United States Air Force as a 1st Lieutenant and graduated from pilot training a year later. He served as a Strategic B-52 Bomber Pilot during the Vietnam Conflict. He went on to serve as an active duty officer for twenty-five years before retiring in 1993. 

On March 8, 1985, he was united in holy matrimony with Lynne Zdanowicz at McGuire Air Force Base (AFB) in New Jersey. His military career brought him and his family to Grissom AFB, Wurtsmith AFB, and Tinker AFB where they made many lifelong friendships. After retirement he and his family moved to East Tawas, MI where his three daughters graduated from high school. Jeff continued working in Human Resources at Tawas Plating and Powder Coating for seventeen years. After his second retirement Jeff and Lynne moved to Vicksburg, MI in 2017 to be closer to family.

In his free time he enjoyed boating, fishing, golfing, reading, spending time next to the ocean, and vacationing on Long Beach Island, NJ.

He will be fondly remembered for his kindness, patience, leadership, stoicism, and the love he had for his family. 

Jeff is preceded in his passing by his parents.

Left to cherish his loving memory is his wife of thirty-seven years: Lynne Brownlow; children: Lori (PJ) Lambertsen-Wolocko, Lisa (Josh) Yoder, Allison (Tracy) Brownlow; grandchildren: Noah, Abigail, Wyatt, and Levi; and his loyal dog: Stewey.

In accordance with the family’s wish funeral services will take place at the First Reformed Church of Portage on Monday, January 30, 2023, with a time for visiting beginning at 10:00 a.m. until the time of service at 11:00 a.m. with Pastor Clayton Smith officiating. Lt. Col. Jeffrey Brownlow will be laid to rest at Ft. Custer National Cemetery on Monday, January 30, 2023, at 2:00 p.m.

While at www.amsfuneralhomes.com please take time to sign Jeff’s guestbook and/or share a memory with his family. Memorials made in Jeff’s memory may be directed to the Alzheimer’s Association. Envelopes will be available at the church.

The Brownlow family is being cared for by the Avink, McCowen & Secord Funeral Homes and Cremation Society, 409 South Main Street, Vicksburg, MI 49097. 269-649-1697.