Leroy Brown Jr.

BROWN JR., LEROY. Remembering Leroy Brown, Jr. Simple principles: Honor, family, and education were his guides. Educator, contractor, son, husband, father, grandfather, friend, mentor and role model are some of the hats worn by long-time Winter Park resident Leroy Brown, Jr. Surrounded by family, he passed on into the light of the Lord, July 26, 2010, at Florida Hospital (Orlando, FL). He was born to Mary Brown and the late Leroy Brown, Sr., on February 28, 1929, in Oviedo, FL. In the midst of the great depression, segregation, and an era when education was pivotal for success, particularly for the Black community, Leroy excelled academically and also in sports. As a senior at Hungerford High School in Eatonville, FL, he played quarterback and also dated a cheerleader who later became his wife, the late Gwenn Williams Brown. After graduating from high school in 1949, he joined the U.S. Army and served his country from 1951 to 1953. He often spoke about the importance of education to his children and grandchildren and, more specifically, his enrollment at Tuskegee University in Tuskegee, AL on the GI Bill. After graduating in 1957, he married his high school sweetheart in December of that same year. Leroy retired from the Seminole County Public School system after 39 years of dedicated service during which he impacted the lives of countless students. He held positions as a classroom instructor at Crooms High School (19 years) and Seminole High School (one year) and as Assistant Principal/School Administrator at Lyman High School (19 years). He had a life-long passion for learning and education and cherished the opportunity to educate generations. He also served as a general contractor for Brown & Allen Construction, which specialized in the design and construction of single-family homes. Over the years, he built and designed some 30 homes, many of which remain visible today throughout the Winter Park community in which he lived, including the family home he designed and constructed and where he and Gwenn lovingly raised two children. Leroy was very active in his community of Winter Park (West Side) and held positions on many boards: President of The Gardens at DePugh Nursing Center Board of Directors (1990); Member of Florida Power Consumer Advisory Committee (1990); Appointed by Governor Bob Graham as a member of the 9th Circuit Judicial Nominating Commission (1979-1982); Vice President, Seminole County Teachers Credit Union Board of Directors (1972-1978); Civil Service Board of Winter Park (six years); Bi-racial Committee of Winter Park (three years); Parks and Recreational Board of Winter Park (three years); Robert Hungerford Trust; Welbourne Day Nursery Board Member; Leadership Winter Park Class 3; South Seminole Rotary Club Member. As a faithful and active member of Ward Chapel AME Church in Winter Park, his service included the following: Steward, Trustee Board, Sunday School Superintendent, Senior Class Teacher, and Finance Committee Chairman. Leroy's faithfulness and personal commitment to his church never wavered. He was a very strong man, humble, proud, a gentle giant among men, compassionate, fair, considerate, and always a man of his word. His strength derived from his faith in God, and this faith was reflected throughout his life in his strong family orientation. It is with that hope that we celebrate his life with joy and peace as he now meets his Savior face to face. He was preceded in death by his wife, Gwenn Williams Brown; father, Leroy Brown, Sr.; and brother, Lawrence Brown. He leaves to cherish his memory: mother, Mary Brown of Winter Park, FL; daughter, Cheryl Brown Thompson of Winter Park, FL; son, Keith Alan Brown of South Florida; brother, Willie Lee Brown of Dallas, TX; brother, Lorenzo Brown (Maxine) of Greensboro, GA; sister-in-law, Louisa Brown of Lake Mary, FL; son-in-law, Anthony Charles Thompson of Richmond, VA; granddaughter, Nicole Elisabeth Thompson of Washington, D.C.; grandsons, Brandon Andrew Thompson of Winter Park, FL, and, Jared Elfred Thompson of Tallahassee, FL; aunt, Elsie Miller of Winter Park, FL; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. A Memorial Service will be held at Ward Chapel AME Church on Friday, July 30, 2010, from 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m., 160 S. Pennsylvania Ave., Winter Park, Florida. Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, July 31, 2010, at 1:00 p.m., The Life Center Church, 63 E. Kennedy Blvd., Eatonville, Florida. Rev. James T. Blount, Ward Chapel AME Church will be officiating. The Brown Family extends their deepest thanks and appreciation to Bishop Ronald F. Kimble and the Life Center Church for the host site of Leroy's Homegoing Celebration. Interment will follow at Pineywood Cemetery, Winter Park, Florida. Professional services entrusted to Golden's
Funeral Home, Inc., 210 N. Pennsylvania Ave., Winter Park, Florida (407) 740-6784. Following interment, a repast for family and friends will be held at Ward Chapel AME Church, 160 S. Pennsylvania Ave., Winter Park, Florida. The family would like to thank the staff of Florida Hospital NeuroCare for their kindness and compassion shown to our loved one.