DougN. Drown, 67, former alumni director at St. Johnsbury Academy, died suddenly Wednesday, July 26, 2006,
at DHMC in Lebanon, N.H. He was born in St. Johnsbury on Feb. 12, 1939, the son of Damon and Thelma (McPhee) Drown.
His father died when Dougwas 10. He grew up with his mother on Concord Avenue and graduated from
St. Johnsbury Academy in 1958. His mother passed away in 1984. Dougknew two jobs in his life. He began working
at Radio Station WTWN when he was 16 and, over the course of his 35 years there, rose to be the station's general manager.
He was instrumental in establishing FM radio station WNKV-FM, airing in 1985 as the first FM radio station in the
Northeast Kingdom. Dougwas the voice of area sports, doing radio high school basketball and football play-by-play
announcing for 31 years. In December of 1991 he became assistant alumni director with Lloyd Jones at
St. Johnsbury Academy. Doug truly loved the Academy and showed remarkable grasp and recall of facts relating to
the alumni, their families, and details of their lives. He continued announcing via the PA system for Academy football
and basketball. Civically Dougwas named Northeast Kingdom Citizen of the Year in 1997.
In 2005, the year of his retirement, St. Johnsbury Academy named him recipient of the distinguished Dwayne B. Sherrer Award.
Doug served on numerous community boards and associations, yet truly wanted to shun the deserving limelight due him given
his love for his community. Doug and Kathy suffered through the death of their youngest child Thomas;
he passed away Dec. 4, 2000. He is survived by his wife, Kathleen Pena Drown (41 Parker Ave. 05819); daughter,
Tamela "Tammy" Dargie and her husband David of Londonderry, N.H. (9 Wimbledon Dr. 03053); son,
Timothy Drown and Julia Marrs of Tampa, Fla. (4101 W. Vasconia St. 33629); four grandchildren:
Matthew Laferriere and his wife Meagan of West Burke, Meaghan Laferriere of St. Johnsbury, Samantha Dargie of
Londonderry, N.H., and Chloe McPhee Drownof Tampa, Fla.; his sister, Priscilla Gadapee and
her husband Donald of Zephyrhills, Fla.; sisters-in-law: Alice Drownof Brewster, Mass., and
Marilyn Pena of Manchester, N.H.; six nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by his brother Richard in 1973 and a 2-year-old brother Archie.
Memorial services will be held in St. Johnsbury Tuesday, Aug. 1, at 10 a.m. at South Congregational Church
with the pastor, the Rev. Bonnie Haase, and friend, The Rev. Mr. Bernier Mayo, officiating.
Visiting hours will be held at the Sayles Funeral Home Monday from 4-8 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions, marked in Doug's memory, could be directed to:
St. Johnsbury Academy, P.O. Box 906, St. Johnsbury, VT 05819; or to the American Diabetes Association,
512 Troy Ave., Colchester, VT 05446.
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