Jerry Wayne Brower, 76, went to be with our Lord after a courageous fight against ALS on Saturday Morning, September 20, 2025, surrounded by his family at his home in Athens, Alabama.
Mr. Brower was born and raised in the Palestine community of Lexington, Tennessee, the son of the late John William Brower and Christine Britt Brower. He attended Palestine Elementary School in Henderson County, Lexington High School – graduating in 1967, Memphis State University, and the University of Tennessee College of Pharmacy in Memphis, Tennessee where he received Doctor of Pharmacy in 1978.
Before beginning his post high school studies, Mr. Brower served his country during the Vietnam War in the United States Army National Guard as an Air Medic, achieving the rank of sergeant. Mr. Brower was honorably discharged and returned to his studies at Memphis State University and the University of Tennessee College of Pharmacy.
Jerry married the love of his life, Jeanne Hays Brower of Germantown, Tennessee, in 1976, at First United Methodist Church in Memphis, Tennessee. He was a loving and devoted husband; Jerry and Jeanne were married for forty-nine years.
After completion of his pharmacy studies in Memphis, Mr. Brower began a career with Roche Pharmaceuticals in Greenville, Mississippi. Wanting to move back closer to his hometown of Lexington, Mr. Brower moved to Jackson, Tennessee, where he would spend his adult life, raise his family, build his career and business, and make lifelong friends within the community. Mr. Brower served on numerous boards and teams within the Jackson community and received awards for recognition of his service. These included: past President of the Madison County Parks and Recreation Department, past board member of the Board of Directors of the Tennessee Pharmacists Association, head coach of youth baseball and softball teams that his son and daughter were a part of, recipient of the 2011 Herman Lubin Award from the Tennessee Pharmacists Association for recognition of service to the pharmacy profession, and member of The University of Tennessee Presidents Club. In 1992, Mr. Brower formed a convenience store business, Lewis&Brower Associates, that, along with his pharmaceutical career, provided him with great pride and joy. Upon retiring from his pharmaceutical career and selling his business, Mr. Brower began doing part-time pharmacy relief work in Lexington and Henderson, Tennessee. He thoroughly enjoyed this work, and it gave him a great sense of fulfillment as he was able to put to use his Tennessee Pharmacist License that he had maintained his entire adult life, even though he had not been a full-time practicing pharmacist. Even after his ALS diagnosis, Mr. Brower maintained his Tennessee and Alabama pharmacy licenses until just before his passing.
Jerry derived immense pleasure in talking to and getting to know people, making friends with others, helping anyone any way he could, and simply being around people of all different walks of life; the many endeavors he pursued, and relationships he formed during his life were a reflection of this.
Jerry was a Christian and a member of Northside United Methodist Church while living in Jackson, First United Methodist Church while living in Athens, and maintained a lifelong association with Palestine Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Lexington the church in which his grandfathers (E.A. Britt and Leo Brower) were original founders.
Mr. Brower is survived by his wife Jeanne Hays Brower; his son, Jason Brower and his wife, Barbara of Nashville, Tennessee; his daughter, Elizabeth McClary and her husband, Jim of Athens, Alabama; and four grandchildren that he adored more than anything in this world, Isabella Brower, Eva Hays McClary, Maddox Brower, and Emmett McClary.
The family would also like to thank our special caregivers, Sarah Broadway, Lori Thompson, Caden Shoulders, Dr. Megan Evans, Kasey Harbin, Dr. David White at the ALS Clinic – Huntsville, all staff at Hospice of Limestone County, and countless special friends and family. Your love and support during Mr. Brower’s battle against ALS will never be forgotten. #teambrower
Spending time with his family gave Jerry great pleasure, and his grandchildren gave him his greatest sense of pride and happiness. He was an avid booster and lifelong supporter of the University of Tennessee Football Program, and before his ALS diagnosis, he enjoyed spending his free time at the Tennessee River in Bath Springs, Tennessee, and at his family farm in Lexington.
Jerry was a great man who lived a good life and will be forever missed by all who knew him.
SERVICES: A private service will be held by the family, and a memorial service for friends and family will be planned for a later date.
The family requests that, in lieu of flowers, please make memorial contributions to any of the following:
TEAM GLEASON, 1450 Poydras Street Suite 2550, New Orleans, LA 70112
Palestine Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 6835 TN-22 Alt, Lexington, TN 38351
Hospice of Limestone County, 405 S Marion Street, Athens, AL 35611
