Sterling Jack Brown, age 92, of Pensacola, FL passed on to Heaven on Wednesday, October 19, 2016 after a short illness at his home with his family at his side.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Martha Ann Hovater Brown after 55 years of marriage. He is survived by his daughter, Jacquelyn Ann Brown of Huntsville, AL and son, Timothy Louis Brown (Charmaine) of Jackson, MS.

Jack was born May 25, 1924 in Birmingham, AL to parents, George Frederick Brown and Elma Amos (June) Brown (both deceased) of Birmingham, AL. He was also preceded in death by his younger brother, Billy Norman Brown of Huntsville, AL.

Mr. Brown attended Howard College in Birmingham, AL, now known as Samford University.

In his early years, Mr. Brown was a Master Machinist for the L & N Railroad Co. Then he entered the aircraft and space industry with Hayes International Corp. in Birmingham and Huntsville, AL. He held many positions from a tool design engineer to Chief of Mechanical Development. His most memorable time there was designing the tooling for the first Saturn Rocket for NASA for which he received an accommodation from then President John F. Kennedy. He designed tooling for the installation of two J47 Jet Engines on the KB-50J Aircraft in the Birmingham plant. He also designed tooling for the Redstone Missile and Jupiter Missile.

In his later years, he was an engineer for Litton Industries at the Ingalls Shipbuilding facility in Pascagoula, MS.

In his spare time, Mr. Brown (also a private pilot) enjoyed constructing model airplanes and boats. Then he would take to the airfield and fly his remote controlled airplanes.

Known as "Granddaddy" by his family, he so enjoyed being with his grandchildren and great grandchildren. He loved taking photos of family and friends and having them framed to enjoy forever.

He is also survived by his grandchildren, Leigh Ann Bender of Huntsville, AL, Brandon Brown (Christi) of Madison, MS and Ryan Brown of Madison, MS; his great grandchildren, Sterling Bender and Scout Bender of Huntsville, AL, Adeline Brown and Levi Brown of Madison, MS and nieces and nephews in Alabama and Florida.

A Graveside service will be held Monday, October 24, 2016 at 1:00pm at the Forest Hill Cemetery in Birmingham, AL with Pastor Emily Freeman Penfield of Woodlawn United Methodist Church of Birmingham, AL officiating.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may also be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital (www.stjude.org) or mailed to 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105.