Honorable John P. Brown

John P. Brown, a Nashville native, passed away peacefully on February 14, 2026 at the age of 84. He is survived by his loving wife, Anne Drury Brown, daughter Joan Brown Smith (Matt) of San Luis Obispo, California, his son, John P. “Jack” Brown, III (Cindy) of Nashville, Kevin Drury of Morelia, Mexico and Matt Drury of Chattanooga, his six grandchildren, Leah Hazel Bayston, Thaddeus Scott Bayson (Rachel), Audrey Ruth Bayston of Alamo, California, Matthew Masin Drury, Jackson Porter Brown and Isaac Drake Brown of Nashville. He also leaves behind his brothers Robert (Susan) Brown and Phillip Brown of Nashville. John was preceded in death by his parents J.P. and Hazel (Spillers) Brown, and brother, Tom Brown. John graduated from Hillsboro High School in 1960 making lifetime relationships including his first wife, Lolann Wamser Brown. John graduated from University of Tennessee at Memphis Pharmacy School in 1964 and joined the family business, J.P. Brown Drugstores. Having worked the counter and soda fountain there since childhood, John opened his store on Hillsboro Road and helped build J. P. Brown Drugstores into Nashville’s largest independent pharmacy. For his next act, John attended law school at the Nashville YMCA Law School and obtained his J.D. in 1969. John practiced law for many years handing a variety of civil and criminal matters at his law office in Green Hills while he considered entering the local political arena. John was always involved in local politics and ran, unsuccessfully, for State Representative in the 1970’s. Undeterred, John decided that he wanted to be a Judge. After an unsuccessful run in 1980, John was elected Judge of Davidson County General Sessions Division V in 1982 where he served until his retirement from the bench in 2006. John was a compassionate and wise jurist, and he was loved by the courthouse crowd for his southern drawl and folksy humor. During his tenure John played an integral role in bringing the Courts into the computer age serving on the Justice Information System committee for several years. After retiring from the bench, John and Anne spent a year in the Republic of Georgia after John was selected for the competitive American Bar Association CEELI Program where he helped train judges on the court system of a new democracy governed by the rule of law. John was a member of Calvary United Methodist Church since the early 1960’s. A devoted man of God, John hosted a weekly men’s prayer group consisting of some of his closest, dearest friends. This group met faithfully up until the week before John’s death and their friendship and commitment is cherished. John was an extreme fan and groupie of Willie Nelson and Family and attended hundreds of shows back stage with the band. At some point, John worked his way into Willie’s show, joining the band to sing “harmony” with Willie at the end of the band’s one instrumental song, performing countless times to his own adoring fans. John fulfilled his life long ambition of singing on the stage of the Grand Ole Opry in addition to many other venues. After retiring from the bench, John continued to serve as Senior Judge, work as a pharmacist and even tried his hand at selling cars with Lexus of Nashville. John and Anne spent 40 loving years together. They enjoyed travelling throughout the United State and around the world. A youth football and baseball coach to his son Jack, John and Anne were committed to attending all of their children’s and grandchildren’s sporting events. John volunteered since the inception of Operation Stand Down, a program aimed at helping Veterans with legal issues, housing and jobs which now has grown to locations across Middle Tennessee. The family would like to thank the staff at Richland Place for the care and compassion they showed John in his last years. Family and Friends are invited to attend visitation at Calvary United Methodist Church, 3701 Hillsboro PK. Nashville, TN 37215, Tuesday, February 17 from 4:30 -7:00, and Wednesday, February 18 from 1:00pm until the time of service at 3:00pm.

Honorable John P. Brown

January 6, 1942 - February 14, 2026