Mr. George Higgins Brown, Jr., age 80, of Granite Falls, passed away Saturday, January 3, 2026, at Frye Regional Medical Center in Hickory. He was born March 10, 1945, in Richmond, New York to the late George Higgins Brown, Sr. and Annaliesa Bode Brown.

George spent his early years growing up in Brooklyn before moving to Pine Bush, NY, with his mother and stepfather, Thomas Edward Brennan. Here, his parents gave birth to his sister, Annaliesa, and George worked on many of the farms in the area, developing his love for nature and animals. George would join the United States Air Force, marry, and would begin training in martial arts, studying under the US Taekwondo founder, Grand Master Duk Sung Son. Having found his passion in the art, George would later go on to have his own Taekwondo schools throughout Orange County, where he taught for 30 years. After his time in the Air Force, George would also begin his 30+ year career with the telecommunications company that would eventually be known as Frontier, where he retired as a specialist in his field.

During his first marriage, George would have his firstborn, William H. Brown, who himself would become a talented martial artist and pillar of the local community. George later remarried and moved to New Hampton, where he had two more sons: Ryan and Kyle. George would spend many years in New Hampton before his final relocation to Granite Falls and marriage to Patty, the woman he would call his soul mate. Here, he would become deeply associated with the St. Aloysius Catholic Church and its community. George joined the Knights of Columbus and was always looking to volunteer and help out, be it as security for the church or a guiding hand for the younger attendants.

George is survived by his wife Patricia “Patty” Herrera-Brown, sons William H.T. Brown, Ryan Michael Brown, and Kyle F. Brown. His grandchildren, Kevin M. Brown and Paige L. Brown, the children of William and Stacey Brown. Sister, Annaliesa Brennan-Kupper, and her daughter Annaliesa Laezott. And thirteen nieces and nephews through Patty.

A wake service will be taking place on Friday, the 9th, at Bass-Smith Granite Funeral Services, 106 S. Main Street, Granite Falls, from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM. And a funeral mass will be held on Saturday, January 10th, 2026, at 12:00 Noon at St. Aloysius Catholic Church, officiated by Father Larry LaMonaco.

Burial will follow the funeral mass at Sunset Hills Cemetery in Granite Falls with military honors provided by the USAF. In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully asks donations be made to St. Aloysius, 921 2nd Ave. NE, Hickory, NC, 28601, in George Brown’s memory.

Bass-Smith Granite Funeral Service is serving the Brown family.

Online condolences may be made at www.bass-smithfuneralhome.com