Joseph Slater Brown

Joseph Slater Brown, 98, peacefully left his earthly body and entered into Christ’s presence from the home where he grew up in Clemson, SC, on September 4, 2023, with his children by his side.  A dedicated father and husband, he was devoted in marriage for 42 years to the late Irene Nagy Brown. 

Born on July 30, 1925 in Greenville, SC, he was the son of Andrew Joseph and Margaret Slater Brown.  He was raised in Clemson, became an Eagle Scout, and was a natural lifelong Clemson Tiger.  At age 16, he graduated as Valedictorian of his high school class at the Darlington School in Rome, GA (1942).  Immediately entering Clemson College, he was an honored member of the Pershing Rifles.   His education was interrupted by WWII, as he entered the US Navy’s V12 program at the University of South Carolina.  He was sent to Officer Training at Columbia University in New York, where he proudly served on the USS Portsmouth, patrolling off the coast of New York.  He was in New York City the day the war ended.  He returned to earn Bachelors’ degrees from both the University of South Carolina (1945) and Clemson College (1947), and a Master’s Degree from North Carolina State University (1949).

His professional career took him to North Carolina, then New Jersey where he began working for the Dupont Company and met and married his wife.  He was transferred to numerous plants throughout the country in Colorado, Wisconsin, Alabama, and Texas, making significant contributions at 20 different sites in the areas of explosives, films, petrochemicals, and paints & coatings.  He finally settled in Newark, Delaware as an Electrical and Instrument Design Engineer at the Louvier’s Building, retiring in 1991 after 39 loyal years.

Mr. Brown was a craftsman, artisan, jokester, longtime IPTAY supporter, and still an avid tennis player at age 80.  In retirement he enjoyed visiting his children and grandchildren more often, and reconnecting with the Clemson community. He volunteered with Habitat for Humanity both in DE and SC, generously supporting several church missions and causes.  He was honored to become a Diamond Tiger at his 75^th Clemson class reunion in 2022.  Having an uncanny way of quickly endearing himself to everyone he met, he was affectionately known by many in Newark, Tucson AZ, Chesapeake VA, and especially in Clemson.  His strong Christian faith was reflected in his values - he was honest, generous, fun-loving, and joyful. He lived life to the fullest. He was dearly loved, greatly admired and respected, and will be deeply missed by many.

Mr. Brown is survived by his children - Joseph Nagy Brown and his wife Selma of Tucson, AZ; Stee Smith of Chesapeake, VA; his grandchildren - Heather Lewis and her husband Nick of Middletown, NY; Collin Smith of Chesapeake, VA; and his great-grandson - Taquan Mizzell Jr.

Memorial services to celebrate Joe’s life will be held in both Clemson and in Newark, to be announced at a later date. 

Duckett-Robinson Funeral Home is assisting the family.