The Honorable C. Douglas Brown Sr. (Ret.)
September 19, 1934 – July 7, 2025

Judge C. Douglas Brown Sr., 90, of Panama City Beach, FL, passed away peacefully on Monday, July 7, 2025. Born in McComb, Mississippi, to Edna Mae and Edgar Clyde Brown, Doug lived a life marked by service, intellect, music, and devotion to family.

A proud graduate of McComb High School and the University of Southern Mississippi, Doug was an extraordinary pianist who helped support his education as a member of the university's jazz ensemble, the Gold Notes. After graduation, he married the love of his life, Honorine Damborino, and began his career in Miami as a claims manager for Crawford and Company.

With a strong desire to pursue law, Doug moved his wife and three young children to Gainesville, Florida, where he attended the Fredric G. Levin College of Law at the University of Florida. He graduated third in his class in 1966 and was admitted to the Florida Bar later that year.

Doug began his legal career in Panama City with the firm of Dempsey Barron and Charlie Hilton, later co-founding Isler, Smith, Welch, Bryant, Higby and Brown. He continued his distinguished legal work at the firm of Sale, Brown and Smoak. His exceptional skill as an attorney earned him opportunities to argue nationally significant cases, including in San Francisco in the early 1980s. He also served on the Florida Board of Governors, guiding the future of the profession he loved.

Following retirement from private practice, Doug was appointed as a Workers' Compensation Judge by Governor Jeb Bush, a position he held until his retirement in 2001.

In addition to his legal and musical pursuits, Doug had a passion for land development throughout Bay County, with a particular talent for developing waterfront properties. He was a proud member of the UF Panama City Gator Club and dedicated much of his free time to supporting all things related to the University of Florida. Doug also shared a passion for world travel with his family.

Doug and Honorine were lifelong members of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Callaway.

He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Honorine Damborino Brown; his grandson, William Thomas Brown; and his parents.

Doug is survived by his children: Doug Brown Jr. (Debbie), Janice Mathers (Lee), and Michael Brown (Karen); his grandchildren: Michael Mathers (Ani), Chris Mathers (Alyssa), Wesley Brown (Tracy), Katherine Saint (Chris), and Douglas Brown III (Melanie); and his great-grandchildren: Sam Mathers, Melody Mathers, James Mathers, Stella Conley-Brown, Alex Pittman, Easton Brown, and Hallie Saint.

A funeral service will be held on Saturday, July 12, 2025, at 2:00 PM at Wilson Funeral Home Chapel. The family will receive friends from 1:00–2:00 PM prior to the service. Interment will follow at Forest Lawn Cemetery.

Serving as pallbearers are Michael Mathers, Chris Mathers, Wesley Brown, Douglas Brown III, Chris Saint, and Alex Pittman.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made to a charity of your choice in Doug's memory.