John W. Browning, Jr., 93, passed away peacefully on October 20, 2026, at Mission Hospital surrounded by two of his daughters, Sheila Trantham and Sharon Browning.

He was preceded in death by his beautiful, loving wife of 60 years, Patricia “Pat” Browning; parents, John, Sr. and Doris Ross Browning of Venice, Fl; brother, Donald Browning of Trenton, NJ and sister, Betsey Ann Dempsey of Venice, Fl.

Left to cherish his memory are his three daughters, Sheila Trantham and Sharon Browning of Waynesville and Sandra Wingate of Asheville; 6 grandchildren; 10 great grandchildren, and 6 nieces and nephews.

He retired after 17 years of service from Haywood EMC serving as the cooperatives Executive Vice President and General Manager. He served as President of the West Haywood United Way, the greater Haywood Chamber of Commerce and the Rotary Club of Waynesville, which honored him with the Paul Harris Fellow. Prior to his employment with Haywood EMC, he was employed at Four County EMC in Burgaw, NC where he was Director of Member and Community Services. He had devoted 27 years of his life to the rural electric program.

He attained his BS from the University of Maryland and master’s degree in Agricultural Economics from Rutgers University. He was employed by the New Jersey Cooperative Extension Service at Rutgers University for 4 years as an extension marketing specialist and served as Assistant Secretary of the New Jersey Council of Farmer Cooperatives.

The family would like to express their heartfelt appreciation for their exceptional care and compassion while at Mission Hospital.

Instead of public service, a celebration of life by the family will be scheduled at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the charity of your choice.