Tributes for Mr Brown flowed at Lister Home in Waimate where he is a resident, with Waimate Mayor John Coles saying he had given a truly remarkable community service to the district.
He had been part of the development of the Ikawai area and fully participated in the rural community. His record of service was ‘‘astounding'', Mr Coles said.
The third youngest of 10 children, Mr Brown was born on the family farm at what was then known as Redcliffs on April 24, 1908. After leaving school at 14, he worked on the farm and drove a team of horses.
He went into the Burnham army camp in September, 1941, and served in the Pacific during World War 2. On his return, he joined others in fund-raising to build the Ikawai Memorial Hall.
He married his late wife, Brenda, in 1972 and the couple retired to Waimate in 1973. Mrs Brown died last year.
His stepson, David Taylor, said Mr Brown always marked Anzac Day and enjoyed the poppy-laying at the Waihao Forks Hotel in memory of Ted d'Auvergne, the soldier who never returned.
Describing him as a true Southern man, Mr Taylor said Mr Brown had a wonderful life and had given much to his community.
Mr Brown has been involved with many sporting and community organisations, including the Waimate A and P Association and Waimate Dog Trial Club.
He has attended 94 Waimate A and P shows, missing only six including three when he was serving in the war.
He was a committee member between 1966 and 1987 and has been patron since 1988.
Mr Brown has also been heavily involved with dog trialling and has been a member of the Waimate Dog Trial Club for 60 years.
Club member Roderick Hamilton presented him with a cushion with a photograph on it of him sitting on a dray outside the Savoy Tearooms in Waimate during the district's 150th anniversary celebrations in 2004.
Mr Brown said reaching 100 was ‘‘extra special'' and he was only the third man in the history of Waimate to make the milestone. ‘‘How I came to 100, I don't know. It's just one of those things.''
