THE PLAINS — Darrell “Jiggs” Larry Brown, 84, of The Plains passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, April 20, 2023, at OhioHealth O’Bleness Hospital, Athens. Born March 25, 1939 in Athens, Ohio, he was the son of the late Vaughn and Bereda Lonas Brown. He graduated from The Plains High School and resided in Athens County all his life.
He worked for 29 years in the body shop and drove the wrecker for the Chevrolet dealerships in Athens and retired from Ohio University in 2001 after 16 years of service. He was a member of The Plains United Methodist Church and Athens Elks Lodge BPOE #973. He was a longtime member of Jan’s Fans, where he enjoyed the traveling basketball bus. He volunteered for O’Bleness Hospital Charity Golf Tournament for 25 plus years for which he received the Volunteer of the Year Award. Jiggs loved to play golf (at Franklin Valley Golf Course) and pickleball every day. He also enjoyed spending the winter months each year since 2001 in Lakeland, Florida, with his wife, Donna, and friends.
Jiggs is survived by his wife of 63 years, Donna Jean Hunter Brown; his daughter, Debbra Jean Riggs of The Plains; his son Dennis Lee Brown, of The Plains; a brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Garry and Rebecca “Becky” Hunter of Athens; three grandchildren, Stephanie (Ben) Eldridge of Marian, Illinois, Jason (Courtney) Riggs of College Grove, Tennessee and Travis Brown of Athens; three great-grandsons, Drue Riggs and Drake Riggs of College Grove, Tennessee, and Asher Eldridge of Marian, Illinois; a great-granddaughter, Ellie Eldridge of Marion, Illinois; and many nieces and nephews.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Vaughn and Bereda Lonas Brown; his father-in-law and mother-in-law; Robert and Mildred Hunter; three brothers, John Edgar Brown, Dana Lee Brown and Bobby Brown; a sister, Betty Andrews; and a brother-in-law, Larry Hunter.
Funeral services will be conducted at 1 p.m. Wednesday, April 26, at Jagers & Sons Funeral Home, Athens, with Rev. David Roach and Rev. Vincent Pontius officiating. Burial will be in West Union Street Cemetery, Athens. Friends may call 5-8 p.m. Tuesday and 11 a.m.–1 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home. Athens Elks Lodge will conduct memorial services on Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. at the funeral home. Please share a memory, a note of condolence or sign the online register at www.jagersfuneralhome.com.
