April 4, 1920 ~ January 27, 2026 (age 105)
Orrin “Boody” Brown Jr., 105, a lifelong resident of Opelika, Alabama, passed away on January 27, 2026.
Affectionally known as “Boody” to everyone who knew him, Orrin was born on Easter Sunday, 1920, the only child of Orrin and Mary Charles Brown. The Browns lived on South 4th Avenue, but when Orrin was 15 years old, the family moved to North Eighth Street. Orrin and Barbara Saunders were married on October 18, 1947, and shortly after, the couple built a home on the property behind Orrin’s childhood home, where they raised their three daughters and where Orrin lived until his death.
He was a proud 1941 graduate of Alabama Polytechnic Institute (now Auburn University), where he earned his degree in aeronautical administration and was a member of Phi Delta Theta fraternity and API R.O.T.C.
In January 1942, he answered the call to defend his country. He enlisted in the United States Army Aviation Cadet Program to serve in WWII. Throughout his military career, he advanced and was celebrated as a distinguished hero. He served as a bombardier navigator with the 801st/492nd Bombardment Group, famously known as the “Carpetbaggers.” Operating under the OSS (Office of Strategic Services; the precursor to the CIA), his unit flew top-secret, low-altitude missions under the cover of darkness to drop agents, supplies, and leaflets to resistance forces in Nazi-occupied Europe. Though he flew 30 successful combat missions—including one on D-Day—he often remarked with pride that he was “a bombardier who never had to drop a bomb;” instead, his mission was to deliver life-saving supplies to those fighting for freedom. During his years of service, Orrin received The Air Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters and the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with two Bronze Stars. Following active duty, he remained in the Air Force Reserves for 20 years, retiring in 1962 with the rank of lieutenant colonel.
Many years after his heroic military service, Orrin’s courage and technical skills were again recognized and highly honored. In 2018, he was awarded a Congressional Gold Medal as part of the OSS, and in 2019, he was honored with Norway’s Defense Medal for his role in the Norwegian resistance.
In his civilian life, Orrin was a successful businessman and community leader. He worked for Alabama Gas Company and later enjoyed a long career at Botsford Knight Insurance Agency. He was a lifelong member of First Methodist Church of Opelika, where he served on numerous committees and boards, sang in the choir for decades, and was an active and dedicated member of his beloved Sunday School class. He was also a member of the Opelika Kiwanis Club for more than 60 years.
Following retirement from Botsford-Knight, Orrin and Barbara enjoyed traveling, returning to places where he was stationed in England during the war, and sightseeing in Europe. He attended his WWII Carpetbagger reunions for many years. He loved fishing with his friends, cheering for his Auburn Tigers, and golfing with his buddies at Saugahatchee Country Club, well into his 90s. In later years he also enjoyed spending time at the lake with family.
Orrin will be remembered for his loyalty, patriotism, his “clear mind,” being a virtual walking history of Opelika, and his daily walks to his mailbox well into his 100s, accompanied by one of his adored schnauzers.
Orrin was preceded in death by his parents and his cherished wife. He is survived by his three daughters Deborah (Steve) Czerski of Oakland, Ore., Stephanie (Dave) Harle of Dadeville, Ala., and Barbara (Terry) Jones of Helena, Ala.; grandchildren Dorinda (Chris) Yelverton of Anchorage, Alaska, Christopher (Barclay) Harle of Mobile, Ala., Stephen (Erica) Harle of Germantown, Tenn., Cristen (Mike) Courtemanche and Megan Czerski of Bremerton, Wash., Russell Orrin (Anna) Jones of Opelika, Michael (Laura) Czerski of Seattle, Wash., Katie (Paul) Talley of Tuscaloosa, Ala., John (Melissa) Czerski of Denver, Colo., Barbara Ann (Kyle) Flannery of Augusta, Ga.; and 17 great-grandchildren. He was blessed with wonderful caregivers Angela, Donna, Doris, Jasmine, Kim, Melanie, Punky, and Mary.
A Celebration of Life service will be held at First Methodist Church of Opelika (702 Avenue A) at 2 p.m. CT on Sunday, February 8, 2026, followed by a reception in the fellowship hall at the church.
For those who would like to make a memorial contribution, the family suggests Harvest Evangelism (harvestevangelism.org or 1750 Opelika Road, Suite C, Auburn, AL 36830), or First Methodist Church (firstopelika.churchcenter.com or 702 Avenue A, Opelika, AL 36801).
Jeffcoat-Trant Funeral Home is handling arrangements.
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