Virgil Thomas “Tommy” Brown, age 81, of Winchester, Virginia, died Sunday, February 17, 2013, in the Inpatient Care Center of Blue Ridge Hospice.

Tommy was born in 1931, in Winchester, the son of the late Virgil S. and Mable V. Brown.  He was a self-employed master craftsman/carpenter.  He was a member of the National Rifle Association and former member of the Izaak Walton League.  He attended Stephens City High School.  He was a veteran of the United States Navy.

Tommy married Mary Barton in Hagerstown, Maryland in 1964.  She preceded him in death in December, 1993.  Also preceding him in death was his brother, David S. Brown.

Surviving are two sisters, Martha Sirk Durst of Kearneysville, West Virginia, and Susan V. Hopkins of Lebanon, Ohio; nieces and nephews, David S. Brown and wife, Susan of Winchester, Virginia, Kimberly L. Sirk and husband, Keith Guard, of Winchester, Virginia, Tamara L. Sirk and fiancé, Dudley O’Dell, of Stephens City, Virginia, Sharon Brown-Hruska and husband, Donald of Burke, Virginia, Karen M. Brown of Northern Virginia, Stephen Hopkins and wife, Kim of Shalimar, Florida, Shawn Hopkins and wife Jennifer of Mason, Ohio, and Sheridan Hopkins of St. Stephen, South Carolina, and numerous great-nieces and great-nephews.

Tommy was an avid outdoorsman, expert hunter, and fisherman. He was a master woodworker and carpenter and had a great appreciation for the natural beauty of wood. Tommy could easily determine the species of wood in a piece of fine furniture as well as a standing tree. Tommy proudly left his craftsman touch on many fine homes and businesses in the Winchester area.

Tommy had a full life of varied and colorful experiences which included traveling the world as a merchant marine. He was an excellent story teller and enjoyed sharing his life experiences as much as others enjoyed listening to them.

Tommy enjoyed supporting his nieces and nephews endeavors and was always found at their school sporting events.

Pallbearers are Todd Carlisle, Keith Guard, Shawn Hopkins, Sheridan Hopkins, Larry Shifflett, and Brodie White. Honorary Pallbearers are David Grim, Charles Roberson, Sr., Charles Roberson, Jr., and Paul Shifflett.

The family will receive friends on Thursday, from 6:00 until 8:00 PM, at Omps, Amherst Chapel.

A funeral service will be conducted on Friday at 11:00 AM at Omps Funeral Home, Amherst Chapel, with the Reverend Steve Melester officiating.  Interment will be at Old Stone Church Cemetery, Greenspring, Virginia.

Memorial donations may be made to Blue Ridge Hospice, 333 West Cork Street, Suite 405, Winchester, VA 22601.