Dick Browning
Dick was born in 1933. Grew up in Texas.
In his senior year of high school, Dickie Browning won the national title in tumbling and defended the title for the following three years. Was listed in the Guinness Book of Records for twenty years as the world’s greatest tumbler ever. He broke the world high jump record in 1954 by doing a back flip over the bar.
After leaving the University of Illinois, He flew in the Navy for eleven years. Spent some time in the F2H Banshee as well as various other fixed wing aircraft. Also flew helicopters and rescued 5 airmen from the sea.
Hired by American Airlines in 1965 and flew airliners for twenty-five years.
He retired to the country in 1991. Raised a few cows. Had a pick-your–own blueberry farm for a while. Now he claims he has found his niche by growing weeds. He claims he never has a bad year with weeds.
He was a Religious Science practitioner.
When he heard that over half of the widows had some contact with their departed husbands, he sent out queries to all his friends and relatives asking for personal stories. The response was surprising and he published his findings in a Book; "THE TEXAS BOOK OF THE DEAD".
When he met Father Casey Miner who was doing prison ministry at the Beto Unit in East Texas, Dick offered him lodging and wrote a book about his work. Prisoners in Texas were incarcerated but not rehabilitated. After years behind bars, prisoners are released with $50 and a used set of clothes. Within two years seven out of ten are back in prison again. Father Casey was given a wing of the prison to work with 180 inmates in Character building. His program was so successful, they gave him a second wing of 180 men. After three years, only one release has returned to prison. Dick wrote a book describing the venture and titled it "A CHANGE OF HEART".
Some of his other titles are: "THE GULTCH AND TRIPLE STUFF" and two sequels, "THE EDUCATION OF CARLOS" and "LOST CITY".
In recent years he has taken up wood carving and wood turning.
Mr. Browning is married, has four grown offspring,six grandchildrien and one great-grandchild.
