Brian Oxner, formerly of Memphis but most recently of Durham, NC, passed away unexpectedly at his home on March 13, 2024. Brian was born May 23, 1966 and raised in Memphis, TN, the son of Fred H. and Nancy Oxner. He graduated from St Paul Catholic School, Bishop Byrne High School, and Arkansas College, where he was a proud member of the Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity. Brian had a career of over 30 years as a Research Scientist and Laboratory Manager at several prestigious hospitals including Methodist Memphis, St Jude Children’s Research Hospital, and Children’s Mercy Hospital in Kansas City. At the time of his death, Brian was employed at GRAIL LLC, an innovative company on the leading edge of cancer detection technology, at its office in the North Carolina Research Triangle.

But his professional accomplishments did not define him. Brian was an Eagle Scout with the legendary Boy Scout Troop 97 out of Whitehaven and returned to the troop as an adult to help lead and develop other young scouts including his son, Asa, who would go on to achieve Eagle Scout with the same troop. He coached his daughter, Micah’s, trap team at St Agnes for several years. He read to the blind at the Memphis Public Library and performed countless acts of anonymous kindness in whatever community he occupied. He was a gifted chef, an avid outdoorsman, and a genuine man of God. Brian will be remembered for the unconditional love that he showed to his family and friends and for leaving the world better than he found it.

Brian was predeceased by his younger brother John, and is survived and mourned by many, including his wife Paulette, his mother Nancy Oxner of Leominster, MA; father and stepmother Fred and Donna Oxner of Memphis, son Asa (Hannah) Latham of Mobile, AL, daughter Micah Oxner (Tucker Comes) of Chicago, sisters Donna (Tony) Lefebvre of Balch Pond, ME; Debbie (Hope) Brooks of Coffeeville, and a stepsister, Renee (Barry) Minatra of Memphis. Brian also leaves many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends, all of whom will miss him terribly.

Donations in Brian’s loving memory can either be sent to St Jude Children’s Hospital or The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.

A memorial service will be held at American Cremation & Funeral Service in Durham, North Carolina, on Saturday, March 16, 2024 from 4pm-6pm.