David (Dave) Allen Brown, 68, of Palm Harbor, passed away peacefully at home on March 12th, 2026, after a lengthy battle with cancer.
Born June 1957, in Carmi, Illinois, Dave was preceded in death by his parents, Bill W. Brown and Elvin and June Brown Cole.
Graduating in 1974 from Pleasant Valley High School, Chico, California, where he was Drum Major. Dave went on to earn his B.S. in Aerospace Engineering from the United States Naval Academy, Annapolis, Maryland in 1978. Dave enjoyed singing with the Glee Club and Chapel Choir while at the Academy. After graduation, Dave was stationed at Naval Air Station Pensacola where earned his wings and became a Naval Aviator. Dave was known as “Swoop” by his fellow pilots. He was then stationed with VR-24 Squadron in Sigonella, Sicily, where he met the love of his life, Jaye Montague Brown.
After his return to Pensacola, stationed with VT-10 as a Naval Flight Instructor, Dave and Jaye married in 1983 in the Naval Aviation Memorial Chapel on NAS Pensacola. Through forty-three years of marriage, they raised three children and enjoyed a life of adventure and love. Dave retired from the Navy after 12 years of service as a Lieutenant Commander and went on to fly for American Airlines for thirty-five years, retiring in 2022 as a 737 Captain.
He is survived by his wife Jaye (Montague) Brown; daughter April (Brown) Chodkowski and son-in-law Justin; two sons Dustin and Dean Brown; three grandchildren: Bodhi, Levi and Zoe Chodkowski; sister Carol (Brown) Hoffman and brother-in-law Craig; sister Nancy (Brown) Williams and brother-in-law Steve; nieces and nephews; cousins and many dear friends.
The family would like to thank Suncoast Hospice Foundation for their loving guidance and gentle care of Dave, who will remain in our hearts forever.
If desired, donations may be made to the American Cancer Society or Suncoast Hospice Foundation in memory of Dave.
Dave is interred at Barrancacs National Cemetery, Naval Air Station, Pensacola, Florida.