FEEDING HILLS – James K. Brown, 62, of Feeding Hills departed peacefully Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2014 at home. He was raised in Feeding Hills by the late Noel and Dorothy (Blakesley) Brown, and a 1970 graduate of Agawam High School. He attended the University of Houston and worked in the oil fields in Gillette, WY before returning to Feeding Hills to become a firefighter EMT, work on the family's farm, and start a family of his own. James was a firefighter for the Town of Agawam from 1979 until his retirement as a lieutenant in 2009, and taught as a fire instructor at the Massachusetts Fire Academy in Stow, MA through retirement. He had a profound passion for his work on the family's Brown's Farm, as well as cooking. He was an outdoorsman and immensely enjoyed hunting, fishing, hockey, golf, and skiing. He centered his life around his beloved family and kept an unwavering sense of humor. He will be deeply missed by his wife, Nancy T. (Gormley) Brown, two sons, Keven J. and Erek M. Brown, a daughter, Christene S. Brown, all from Feeding Hills; four brothers, Mark G., Robert P., and Gary E. Brown, all of Feeding Hills, Scott L. Brown and wife Julie of East Chatham, NY; two sisters, Sharyn E. McInerney and husband James of Chicopee, Karyn T. Banas and husband Michael of West Springfield and a lively crowd of nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by a brother, Jonathan Brown. He will forever be in our hearts. The funeral will be Monday at 10am at the AGAWAM CURRAN-JONES FUNERAL HOME, 745 Cooper Street followed by burial in Springfield Street Cemetery. Calling hours are Sunday from 2-5pm. In lieu of flowers, etc., donations can be made to the James K. Brown memorial at Hampden Bank, Attn: Donna Kennedy.