Thomas John Browne, 57, of Beaumont, died Sunday, December 13, 2015 at Christus Hospital St. Elizabeth, Beaumont. He was born on September 17, 1958, in Belfast, Northern Ireland, to Violet Albin Neill and John Alexander Browne.
He is survived by his wife of twenty years, Cathy McCarter Browne of Beaumont; children, Kandis Browne and Jonathon Shugart of Orange; Shane Browne of Vidor; Brittany Robinson and her husband, Brett, of Nederland; Ben Broussard and his wife, Bailey, of Beaumont; Lacey Broussard of Port Arthur; and Ryan Broussard and his wife, Meredith, of Houston; grandchildren, Ava Shugart of Orange; Brooke Robinson; Brody Robinson, both of Nederland; and Blake Broussard of Beaumont; sisters, Jaclyn Brimley and her husband, Billy; Louise Catt; and Elizabeth Maginty and her husband, David, all of Northern Ireland; and stepfather, Robert Neill of Northern Ireland. He is preceded in death by his parents.
According to Tom, it wasn’t easy growing up in Belfast during “The Troubles” but with the love of his family, strength of his friends, and the tenacity of his spirit, he survived. In 1981, he came to the U.S. on vacation. He fell in love with Southeast Texas and decided to make it his home. He proudly became a United States citizen in 1987.
For the last several years, Tom has worked for Calabrian Corporation in Port Neches, Texas. According to Tom, it was “the best job he ever had”. He was very proud to be a part of the Calabrian family.
In 1995, Tom met his wife Cathy. She was the center of his universe and he was the light of her life. They have spent the last 20 years together sharing their passion for life, zest for adventure, and love of travel with one another.
In not so “Brady Bunch-like” fashion, Tom and Cathy successfully blended their two families. Tom deeply loved his two children, Kandis and Shane. He grew to love Cathy’s four children, Brittany, Ben, Lacey, and Ryan as if they were his own and he truly adored his grandchildren, Ava, Brooke, Blake, and Brody.
Tom will leave behind his legacy of love….his love for life and his all-encompassing love for his wife and family. He will leave a hole in their hearts that will never be filled.
A gathering of Mr. Browne’s family and friends will be from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m., Sunday, December 20, 2015, at Broussard’s, 1605 North Major Drive, Beaumont. His funeral service will be 1:00 p.m., Monday, December 21, 2015, at Broussard’s. A family committal will be held at Broussard’s Crematorium, Beaumont. Mr. Browne’s remains will be returned to his beloved Northern Ireland.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital, P.O. Box 1000, Department 142, Memphis, Tennessee 38148 or to American Cancer Society, 4 Bayou Brandt Drive, Beaumont, Texas 77706.
