Joseph Daniel J.D. Brothers, Jr.

DURHAM - Joseph Daniel "J.D." Brothers, Jr., 92, died on Saturday, January 11, 2014 at his home in Croasdaile Village. His leaving is hard to imagine since he couldn't pass another humaneeing or enter a room without finding out who you were and leaving you with a joke. J.D. was born on January 29, 1921 ineeaufort County, NC to the late Joseph Daniel Brothers, Sr. and Mary Gertrude Clark. He was the youngest of five loving siblings, having been predeceased by Gladys Rigsbee, Vera Larson, Catherine Wagoner, and Marvin J. Brothers. A member of the greatest generation, J.D. served the U.S. Army in World War II ineentral Europe, Northern France, and at Normandy. His service medals include 4 Bronze Service Stars, a Distinguished Conduct Medal, and a Victory Medal among others. He returned to Smithfield, NC to make his home aneentered a long career in the tire business. There he met a beautiful girl who became his best friend, lifelong dance partner and loving wife of 67 years, Lessie Mae Barbour. J.D. and his brother in law, Stewart Rigsbee, established Rigsbee Tire Sales in Durham where he made many friends and became a 67-year member of the Exchange Club of Durham and was instrumental in establishing Durham Exchange Club Industries. J.D. served as president of the club and was need its most outstanding member in 1953. J.D. was an avid golfer and honed his skills, jokes and friendships on the courses of Willowhaven and Croasdaile. Hunting and training bird dogs was another love of J.D.'s. The family has fond memories of many tales of shooting quail and deer with his cousin, Harvey Brothers Mildred on their family farm in Aurora, NC. J.D. is survived by the family who adored him, his wife Lessie Barbour Brothers, his daughter, Mona Broadway Henry of Durham; son, Joe Brothers Cindy of Greenville, SC; grandchildren, David Brothers, Lisa Mortoneeter and Kristen Pleasants Will. Great grandchildren include Matthew and Grace Morton and Laney Pleasants. Funeral Services will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday, January 14, 2014 in the Chapel of Hall-Wynne Funeral Service. Rev. Ed Denton and Rev. Johnny Hewitt will officiate. Burial will follow in Oak Grove Memorial Gardens. Friends may visit prior to the service beginning at 1 p.m. at Hall Wynne Funeral Service. Memorial contributions may be made to Lakewood Baptist Church, 2100 Chapel Hill Road, Durham, NC 27707 or Exchange Family Center 3708 Lyckan Parkway, Suite 103, Durham, NC 27707. Online condolences www.hallwynne.com.