Cover photo for Thomas Leo Browning's Obituary
Thomas Leo Browning Profile Photo

Thomas Leo Browning

April 28, 1960 — December 19, 2022

Thomas Leo Browning entered this earth in Casper Wyoming on April 28, 1960, to Billy D. Browning and C. Kay Wagner - Browning. Brother to Billy II (Cody, Wyoming), Chuck (Phoenix, Arizona), Judy Browning- Morse (Billings, Montana), and Micker Browning- Gadd (Mufreesboro, Tennessee).

A son, a brother, a husband, a father, a grandfather, a coach and a perfect friend, or as Reds fans knew him; Mr. Perfect, entered into eternal rest on Monday, December 19th, 2022. He was 62.

Preceded in death by his wife of 38 years, Debora Butts - Browning. Tom and Deb are survived by their five children; Tiffany, Tanner, Tucker, Trevor (Jenn), and Tia Browning; all of Northern Kentucky.

Tom is also survived by his son, Logan Browning & fiancé Jenna Worbington (Lakeland Florida).

Grandchildren, Macy, Nick, Aaron, Bryson, Ben, Sophia, Wyatt, Colton and Cooper were all the lucky recipients of Tom's unconditional love. They enjoyed many days with Grandpa at the ballpark.

Ali Jo & Nick Humphrey, Jacob & Grace Gadd and Hunter Morse, and many of his aunts, uncles and cousins were also Tom's biggest fans and will greatly miss him.

Tom was a "come as you are" kind of man. He loved spending his free time with his family, at the ballpark, fishing, listening to music or finding a new adventure. He was always in positive spirits, highlighting the silver linings of every aspect. Tom always had a big hug to welcome you with, a bright smile on his face to greet you, a twinkle in his eye to show those Irish shenanigans aren't far off, and when he was really enjoying his days, the infamous giggle. These are some of the characteristics that are going to be most dearly missed in this man who was a family member to some but a true friend to all. Marty Brennaman said it best "Everybody loved him."

Tom played college baseball at Le Moyne College in Syracuse from 1979 to 1981 and at Tennessee Wesleyan from 1981-1984. He then played the 1984 season with Class-AAA Wichita. Tom was also an American professional baseball pitcher serving 12 years in Major League Baseball; pitching for the Cincinnati Reds from 1984-1994 and the Kansas City Royals in 1995. Browning pitched the first perfect game in Reds baseball history on September 16, 1988, against the Los Angeles Dodgers. The 1990's Reds team went on to win the World Series with Tom "Brownie" at the helm. He also co-authored a book, Tom Browning's Tales from the Reds Dugout.

In December 2005, Browning led fan balloting wire-to-wire to become a 2006 Reds Hall of Famer.
In February 2006, the Reds invited Browning to spring training as a special instructor. He broadcast Dayton Dragons, a Class-A affiliate of the Reds, games during the 2006 season and in 2007. Tom was named the pitching coach for the Reds' Rookie Advanced level with the Billings Mustangs farm club, then served as pitching coach for the Dragons' during the 2012 and 2015 seasons. In 2015 he also managed the All-Star Legends Team.

March 23rd of 2018; he and his three sons opened Browning's on York; a gathering place for friends and fans.

Tom was an avid supporter of the Cincinnati Reds Community Fund as well as the Reds Hall of Fame and Museum.

A celebration of life will be held Friday, January 6, 2023, at Great American Ball Park in the Bally Sports Club; 100 Joe Nuxhall Way, Cincinnati, OH 45202. Follow parking signage posted for entrance.

A public visitation for friends of Tom's will be from 12 Noon - 3:00 P.M.
A Celebration of Life will follow the visitation, in the same location, at 3:00 P.M.

Floral deliveries or memorial arrangements welcomed Thursday, January 5th or until 11:00 AM Friday, January 6th at the Cincinnati Reds Front Office, also located at 100 Joe Nuxhall Way, Cincinnati, OH 45202.

Donations are welcome to be made to The Cincinnati Reds Community Fund c/o: Tom Browning Memorial Fund to carry on Tom's legacy. T. P. WHITE & SONS FUNERAL HOME serving the family.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Thomas Leo Browning, please visit our flower store.

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Friday, January 6, 2023

12:00 - 3:00 pm (Eastern time)

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Service

Friday, January 6, 2023

Starts at 3:00 pm (Eastern time)

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