Mt. Airy Hall of Fame- Edward L. "Eddie" Browning

Edward L. “Eddie” Browning

July 30, 1943 – October 12, 2004

FIRE CHIEF / COMMUNITY VOLUNTEER

Eddie was born in Frederick and raised in Mount Airy.  He graduated from Mount Airy High School in 1961.  He received a degree in fire science from Montgomery College.

As a young man, Eddie helped his father in the grocery store business located in downtown Mount Airy before becoming a career firefighter.  He also worked part time for Hipsley & Albright.  The Bethesda Fire Department in Montgomery County, which later became part of the Montgomery County Fire Service, hired him.  He retired after 25 years of service.

Eddie was in the original group of young men that formed the Mount Airy Junior Fire Company, when it was organized in 1959.  After his service with the Junior Fire Company, he continued to serve as a regular member of the Mount Airy Volunteer Fire Company.  He rose through the ranks of the fire company, serving as a Lieutenant, Captain, Assistant Chief, before becoming Fire Chief in 1975, 1976, 1977, and 1979.  He also served on the Board of Managers, and was a Life Member.  Eddie chaired the carnival hamburger stand for many, many years and continued to help every year at the annual carnival even after he passed on the responsibility of the stand to others.

Eddie was very proactive when it came to Fire Company training to ensure the community was well protected.  He wanted The Mount Airy Volunteer Fire Company to be the very best and he worked hard along with all other members to make it succeed.  

Once Eddie retired from the fire service, he worked full time as a meat cutter at Mount Airy Locker Company.  He enjoyed the many customers he served as well as the friendships he made while employed there.  

Eddie was a very active volunteer of the Mount Airy Historical Society.  He spent many hours working at the museum until his death in 2004.  His wife, Jane, and their daughters, Mary, Debbie, Patti, Jean, and their families miss Eddie.  

Eddie joins his father, Lindsay L. Browning, and his brother, C. Robert Browning, as a member of the Mount Airy Hall of Fame.