Terry R. Brown

Terry R. Brown Battle Creek Among the cherished remembrances of Terry Richard Brown, 67, who passed on October 25, in Battle Creek are the following: Terry was born in San Diego, and grew up in Elkhart, Indiana, and Kalamazoo, Michigan. He attended Kalamazoo Central High School, and was the first male cheerleader of that school in addition to being a good tennis player and violinist. After getting a BA from Western Michigan University, he graduated from the University of Denver with a Masters Degree in Philosophy. He then joined the Army and served in many places in Europe but primarily as the secretarial agent for one of the generals at the NATO headquarters in Belgium. Terry was a giving individual. He had many friends at The Legion Villa in Battle Creek, where he had previously lived for many years and with whom he continued to visit and help in many ways such as providing the Villa with washing machines, a soda machine, and a van for transport -- all to improve the amenities and quality of the residents' lives. He also volunteered at the VA Hospital in Battle Creek as a Patient Transporter, and worked in its greenhouse. In addition, he was a carpenter and an upholsterer. He had a playful artistic side expressed in a passion for painting art works to make people smile. Many of these creations he would then pass on to his friends and loved ones. Finally, Terry had a strong faith in God and shared his faith with other veterans. He was preceded in death by his parents, Katherine Annie (Coons) and Russell Willis Brown. He is survived by his twin sister Diane Kaye Richards and her husband Robert of Waxahachie, TX. They have three children: a son Kevin who lives in Schoolcraft MI with his wife Kathy (and children, Emily, Ethan, and Nick), a daughter Beth (John) McGoldrick in Bloomington, MN, and another daughter Kimberly (David) Palazolo in Conway, AR. His brother Mark Elliott of Los Angeles has four children: Pamela (Kirk) Brooks of Brownsville TX, Raquel Spatzier of Mt. Laurel NJ, Tricia of Charlotte NC, and Mark Jr. of Mt. Laurel NJ. Also surviving him are his uncles, Gex Coons of Newport Beach CA, and Edgar (Ted) Coons of New York City and respective families. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Terry and the fond memories we have of him. A graveside service will be held at 10:00 o'clock Friday at the Ft. Custer National Cemetery with full military honors (meet in assembly area at 9:50). Friends may meet the family on Thursday from 5-8p.m. at the Langeland Family Funeral Homes, Memorial Chapel, 622 S. Burdick St. In lieu of flowers, Memorial Contributions can be made to The Legion Villa in Battle Creek, MI. www.langelands.com