CAROLINA BEACH — Junior Brewer, born on September 15, 1945, in Lumberton, North Carolina, passed away in the wee hours of August 26, 2024, with his doting and devoted wife of 42 years, Nancy Brewer, by his side. He was a fighter right until the end as he battled an aggressive and fast-moving cancer. He had recently told his family, about dying, that they were more afraid of it than he was, and you didn’t have to know him long to know he wasn’t afraid of much. His strength to face anything life threw his way and his can-do attitude to find solutions were evident in every element of his life.
Junior spent his childhood as one of ten vibrant and close siblings working the family farm. In his teens, he moved to Greensboro where he would eventually meet the love of his life, Nancy. He learned how to have a good time in a crowd and be the life of the party. Beyond that, he also had a side people could rely on. He showed up. He helped when help was needed. As they created a life together, Nancy and Junior eventually settled in Carolina Beach due to their love for the coastal lifestyle. He deeply valued the community of Carolina Beach with friends and neighbors who came running even up until the end. The family is forever grateful for their love and support.
In his free time, Junior enjoyed many hobbies from raising a variety of animals to building new additions to his home. He danced a mean shag with his niece at her wedding. Junior never stopped going and doing and moving. One of his favorite hobbies was his love for classic cars, proudly owning a 1969 Barracuda which he would present at car shows. For work, Junior spent time running a successful small printing business with his wife and, in his later years, serving as a street supervisor for the Town of Carolina Beach, where he retired after 18 years.
Junior was incredibly proud of his son Michael “Shane” Brewer, who he affectionately called “Rooster,” with whom he enjoyed bringing to fruition many home projects. Both would often stay up at night “ciphering” which, for them, was puzzling through their next best idea and they were always just one idea and a quick phone call apart. They knew how to enjoy living life to the fullest whether it was a day of sunshine at the beach or kicking back with friends and family at Shane’s lake house.
He was also consistently supportive of his youngest son Brian Christopher Lane. They spent many hours together working on cars and Junior enjoyed teaching Brian new fixes over the years. Junior was also a bright light in the day for his daughter-in-law Lindsey, and his grandchildren Lily Lane (8), and Hunter Lane (6). To him, his grandbabies were “Punkin” and “Mister” and, to them, he was “Papa.” He was up every morning to see them off to school with a hug. They loved curling up in Papa’s chair with him to take a nap, riding the golf cart to the beach, and laughing at all the little things in life together. They brought delight to his days, and he brought love to theirs. At the end of his life, his one regret in going onward was missing more of theirs.
Junior is also survived by his brother, Furman Brewer, and sisters, Zillie Locklear and Mary Brooks, all of whom were able to see him, love on him, and pray over him in his last days on this earth as well as dozens of loving nieces and nephews. They look forward to meeting him again in heaven, where he is sure to have already been fixing the neighbor’s roof and preparing a home for his wife, who he listened for up until his very last breath.
A celebration of Junior’s life will be held at his and Nancy’s loving home in Carolina Beach on September 14, 2024. Flowers are welcome or, in lieu of flowers, donations can be made to a cancer charity of your choice. In honor of his love for water and the great outdoors, the family has chosen Tranquility Cremation by Aquamation.
Junior Brewer will be dearly missed. He was authentically himself and there was, most certainly, only one “Junior.” His spirit will live on in the memories and love of his family and friends.
