James Stuart Brown, 87, of East Rupert, VT, died June 5 at his home. Born in Asbury Park, NJ, Jim retired in 1985 as an associate editor of the Asbury Park Press, where he began work as a cub reporter in 1939. During his years at the Press, he earned a distinguished reputation as an investigative reporter; his articles received numerous journalistic awards. In 1941, at the outbreak of World War II, Jim enlisted in the Army Air Corps, eventually serving as press liaison on Iwo Jima, where he reported back to the States on air strikes against the Japanese homeland. During his time at the Press following the war, Jim also authored several books on Monmouth County, NJ history, and later wrote a weekly column on antiques, a lifelong passion. In 1991, he and his wife Zeau moved to East Rupert, VT to a 200-year-old former coaching inn; Jim's research on the property led to its placement on the National Register of Historic Places. While living in New Jersey, Jim was trustee emeritus of the Deserted Village at Allaire, a trustee of the Monmouth County Historical Association, helped establish the Monmouth County Legal Aid Society, and participated in many civic programs. In Vermont, he served as a Rupert Grand Juror and was a trustee of the Rupert Historical Society.

Jim is survived by his wife, the former Zeau Conover DuBois; a son, D. Geoffrey Brown, and daughter-in-law, Melinda C. Brown, Robbinsville, NJ: a daughter, Nancy Brown Bailey, Gloucester, VA; a step-daughter, Zeau DuBois Modig, and step-son-in-law, Mark O. Modig, Riegelsville, PA; five grandchildren, two step-grandsons and several great-grandchildren.

A memorial service and interment at Emleys Hill Cemetery will be held on a later date at the convenience of the family. Arrangements under the direction of Peppler Funeral Home, Allentown. Friends may, in lieu of flowers, make donations in Jim's memory to the American Heart Association, 1 Union St. Suite 301, Robbinsville, NJ 08691or to the Alzheimer's Association, 400 Morris Ave., Suite 251, Denville, NJ 07834.