The National Retired Military Golf Classic lost one of our stalwarts, COL(R) Terry Brown passed away on Wednesday, January 29, 2025. Terry was a big part of the NRMGC as a player and Tournament Director participating for over 30 years. Terry served in the critical roles of NRMGC Treasurer for several years and Tournament Director for over 20 years. After stepping down as Tournament Director, he continued to serve as Director Emeritas until his passing. Terry’s contributions were integral in getting this great tournament off the ground and sustaining it as the premier military retiree golf tournament in the world for over 42 years. He will be greatly missed but not forgotten…an annual award in his memory will be introduced at this year’s tournament and used to display NRMGC winners in the future.
Terry was born in Beloit, WI on October 22, 1934. He attended undergraduate and law school at Tulane University in New Orleans, LA graduating with a Bachelor of Laws Degree (now Juris Doctor) in May 1958. He was a member of the bars of the State of Louisiana, the US Court of Military Appeals and the Supreme Court of the United States. He also later earned a master’s degree in management from Webster University.
Colonel Brown was drafted into the Army as a Recruit on September 15, 1958. He completed Basic Combat Training at Fort Jackson and was assigned there as a Private First Class until January 1960. On January 10, 1960, he was commissioned as a First Lieutenant in the Judge Advocate General’s Corps. He completed the Infantry Officer Basic Course at Fort Benning, GA and the Judge Advocate Officer Basic Course in Charlottesville, VA. He was then assigned to the Theater Army Support Command in Poitiers, France as a trial counsel, defense counsel and foreign jurisdiction officer.
During his military career, Colonel Brown served as the Staff Judge Advocate for Fort Belvoir, VA, the 82d Airborne, Division, US Army Alaska, the 172 Infantry Brigade, XVIIIth Airborne Corps, the 9th Infantry Division, I Corps, the Military District of Washington and Fort Jackson, SC. He also served as Base Judge Advocate, Killeen Base TX and Deputy Staff Judge Advocate for the 1st Infantry Division in Vietnam as well as Plans Officer for the Judge Advocate General’s Corps and Executive to The Judge Advocate General of the Army. He was a graduate of the Army Command and Staff College and the US Army War College. His awards include the Legion of Merit (2 OLC), Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal, Army Commendation Medal (2 OLC), Good Conduct Medal, Master Parachutist Badge and Canadian Parachutist Badge as well as service and unit awards.
Upon his retirement from the Army on November 30, 1989, he was appointed as the Zoning Administrator for Richland County, South Carolina. He served in that position for 10 years while concurrently acting as County Planning Director for approximately half of that period. He retired from Richland County on October 30, 1999. He then was the General Manager for O’Leary Brothers Construction Company until May 2004.
In his younger days he enjoyed hunting, fishing and long-distance running. He competed in many races and successfully completed four marathons. Later in life he became an avid golfer. He was a member of the Fort Jackson Golf Club for many years. Many will remember his wry sense of humor and certainly his friendship. Terry was certainly one of the best! The NRMGC won’t be the same without him but will always reflect the professionalism and love for military retirees that he embedded into the culture of the NRMGC.
