Kenneth P. Brown's Obituary
Ken Brown, age 61, of Gainesville, FL, originally from Cleveland, OH passed away peacefully at his home early Thursday morning. Ken found his way to Gainesville when he was only 17, leaving home with just a high school diploma and a packed Ford Pinto to complete his education in Florida. He made many close friends while at college in Gainesville and decided to make it his permanent home.
As a young boy, Ken’s father took him flying in a small plane and he knew instantly that he would become a pilot. It was love at first flight. After earning his license at just 17, Ken went on to become an ATP (Airline Transport Pilot) rated Pilot in Multiengine Land and Rotorcraft Helicopter. He was also a Commercial rated Pilot in single engine airplane and multi engine sea. He was type rated to act as Captain in the Falcon 50 and G100 jets. He logged thousands of hours and more recently flew a private aircraft from Gainesville to the southernmost airport in New Zealand.
Ken founded Kenn Air Corp. and operated fixed base operations at the Gainesville airport for many years. He was instrumental in establishing the ShandsCare critical care transport program at Shands Hospital (now UF Health). He later ventured into land development and for the past 20 years has been developing the Tech Ridge area in Austin, TX.
Ken was well known for his adventurous spirit, his generosity, and his love of machinery and mechanics. He was known by all that knew him as “the guy who could fix anything.” He could often be found on an excavator working his farm or sharing stories and laughs among close friends and family.
Ken was predeceased by his parents, Donald and Shirley Brown (nee Green) and his brother Kevin Brown. He is survived by his daughter, Nicole Blanchet Mullally (Andrew), three devoted granddaughters, Sophia, Stella and Vivienne Mullally; his brother Keith Brown (Erin) of Ft. Lauderdale, FL and his longtime companion Buffa Blanchet.
He was the proud and loving uncle of Wynter (Meghan) Brown, Hunter Brown, Andrea Brown (deceased), Christopher Brown, Ian Brown, Devin Haley, Timothy Haley and great uncle to Victor Brown.
A Celebration of Life will be held at 1:30 PM on Saturday, February 10, 2018 at Capra Farms at 12021 NW 39th Avenue, Gainesville, FL.
In lieu of flowers, should friends desire, the family suggests that contributions in memoriam may be made to The American Diabetes Assoc. (www.diabetes.org) or Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) Foundation (www.AOPAFoundation.org/donate).
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