LEXINGTON – A service to celebrate the life of Robert Richard Brown, 81, will be held Wednesday at 1:00 p.m. at Powers Funeral Home, Lugoff, with burial to follow in Fort Jackson National Cemetery. The family will receive friends Wednesday 12:00-1:00 p.m .prior to the service at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project. Mr. Brown, husband of the late Melba Jean Simmons, died Sunday, January 19, 2014. Born in Columbia, S.C., he was the son of the late Asa “Ace” and Dorothy Elizabeth Dawson Brown. He was raised by Richard Kenneth and Beulah Amanda Clark Dawson. He retired from the United States Navy after 20 years of service. He served in Vietnam and also served in the United States Marine Corps. Mr. Brown attended Coronado School of Fine Arts and was an accomplished musician. After retiring from the Navy he worked for Penn Sand and Glass, Wing Publications, Delta Airlines Security, The State Newspaper and Anderson Armored Car. Surviving are his daughters, Dorothy Elizabeth Brown Lail Watts (Johnny), Louise Jean Brown Clough and Amanda Katherine Brown Pack (David); and grandchildren, Steve Allen Lail Jr. (Elizabeth) and Cynthia Marie Lail Hingle (Benjamin). He was predeceased by a son, Robert Richard Brown Jr.; and brother, John Edwin Brown.