A.J. Brake

A.J. Brake, 75, of Green Cove Springs, FL passed away on November 30, 2022.  He was born on December 22, 1946 in Akron, OH to the late Arden James & Jeanne Elise (Rogers) Brake, Sr.

A.J.’s parents met when they both worked for Pan American Airways, his father as a Captain and his mother as a Stewardess.  He grew up in Miami Beach and Plantation, FL.  A.J. graduated from the University of Florida and went on to get his master’s degree in Aerospace Engineering from the University of West Florida. 

He proudly served his country in the United States Navy as a light attack pilot on a combat cruise from 1972 – 1974 on the USS Saratoga, VA 37, A-7 Squadron earning twelve Strike Air Medals, three individual medals, three Navy Commendation medals, Admiral Flatley Award, Vietnam Service Medal, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, and Navy Unit Citation. A.J. was a test pilot for Gulfstream, a corporate pilot, and a commercial airline pilot. He was a Captain for American Airlines flying the Boeing 737 before retiring in 2006.  He has resided in Magnolia Point Golf & Country Club in Green Cove Springs, FL since his retirement.

Just as his parents met, A.J. met his beloved Anne Buchanan while he was a Captain, and she was a Flight Attendant on what came to be a very memorable flight to Barbados.

A.J. enjoyed playing golf and supporting his favorite college team, the University of Florida Gators!  He will be remembered for his calm composure, contagious smile, quick wit, vast knowledge (he scored perfect on his SATs) and his love for his family and Golden Retrievers, Brew, Chance, Bear and Brody.

A.J. Is survived by his beloved, Anne and their son, Arden III; his daughters, Nicole Bowden and Lauren Greer; his grandchildren, Parker, Isabella and Penny; along with many dear friends.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00am on Thursday, December 8, 2022, in the Broadus-Raines Chapel with Pastor Bill Register and Pastor Billy Register officiating.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made in A.J.’s honor to:

 K-9 For Warriors https://k9sforwarriors.org/

or

Tunnel to Towers Foundation https://t2t.org/