BUXTON — Leonard Larkin “Lee”Browning, Jr. 90, passedaway at his residence on Thursday, July 7, 2011. Lee was bornMarch 28, 1921 in Birmingham, Ala., son of Leonard and Ada ReddBrowning. A graduate of Georgia Tech, he took time out from college toserve in the Pacific Theater as an army signal corps officer duringWorld War II. As a registered professional engineer, heworkedfor R.J. Reynolds Tobacco for 35 years.
Lee was a ham radio operator (KA4ZDE), an avid antique radio collector,and a radio history aficionado. It was his passionate effortsthat resulted in the historical marker in Buxton being erected toacknowledge the important contributions of ReginaldFessenden. Fessenden was the first person to broadcast words over radio waves anddid so from a transmitter in Buxton to a receiver on Roanoke Island.
He leaves behind his wife of more than 60 years, Dixie Burrus Browning;his daughter, Elizabeth Browning Fox, and her children, Randolph LeeFox and Greyson Hill Fox; his son, Leonard Larkin “Lou” Browning III,and his wife, Linda Meyer Browning; a nephew, Charles Watson, and manyloving extended family members.
A private memorial service will be held at a later date. Inlieuof flowers, memorial donations, in his name, may be made to HatterasIsland Wildlife Rehabilitation, P.O. Box 216, Frisco, NC 27936.
Twiford Funeral Homes’ Island Chapel, Hatteras, NC is assisting thefamily with arrangements. Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.twifordfh.com.
