Corey Alan Brown

1971 - 2014

Corey Alan Brown, 43, passed away Monday, May 12, 2014, at his home. Memorial service: 11 a.m. Saturday at University Christian Church, 2720 S. University Drive, Fort Worth. Corey was born Jan. 13, 1971, in Greenville to Karla and Tim Brown. Growing up, their home was always the one everyone wanted to visit. Welcoming and warm, Tim and Karla hosted the whole pack of kids surrounding Corey as a young boy. Corey developed a love of golf from a very young age. As early as 10 years old, Corey would be dropped off at the local country club in Greenville and spend his summertime days golfing with the older men of the club. He was known to begin at sunrise and play until it was too dark to continue. Together with his three childhood best friends, Steve Johnson, Boyd Barnes and Bill Hunt, he was a lifelong sports fan, rooting most avidly for our local professional teams. Corey was born with an entrepreneurial spirit. He was the proud owner at a young age of the local snow cone stand, spent years interested is residential real estate development and also owned a local mobile phone store. He always said his goal in his endeavors was to take a healthy portion of his profit and reinvest it in the local community. Corey had a true passion for children and making a difference in their lives. His generosity was extended in so many ways to Gill Children's Services, Fortress Youth Development, Reformed University Fellowship, Daggett Montessori, UCC Weekday School, Dog Days of Summer Tournament and, most recently, The Warm Place. He was always willing to donate both his time and money when asked. Corey began his professional career at Nokia Mobile Phones in 1995. Over the course of the next 14 years, he enjoyed his work greatly and forged many longtime friendships. In 2009, he ventured on his own into owning a mobile phone store in the TCU area, and in 2012 went back into the corporate procurement world for Alcon Labs in Fort Worth. The relationships he formed while at Alcon were a tremendous blessing to him over the last two years. His Alcon family truly embraced him and supported him to the end. In 2005, he married the love of his life, Susan Forney. They shared a love of world travel and a profound calling to care for our community. Together they brought two beautiful children into the world, Berk Alan and Maisey Anne. Another example of their selfless love and sacrifice can be found in the hearts of their two precious exchange students, Napapich "Oat" Jitmongkolthong and Darya "Dasha" Rudych, who are considered their children and loved as such. In 2010, Corey and Susan joined University Christian Church. In this place, Corey finally felt at home in church. He quickly became involved in a number of ways and celebrated both his baptism and a renewal of their wedding vows in 2012. Corey was beloved by his God Talk Sunday school class and was forever changed by their influence in his life. Corey was diagnosed with glioblastoma of the brain in February 2013. He fought courageously and openly with his closest friends in his Facebook group in Corey's Corner. There he was surrounded and supported by hundreds of friends and family. He was the picture of grace and humility throughout his battle, and to the end, cancer never conquered his spirit. In true Corey fashion, he has donated his brain to UT Southwestern for research, in hopes to help find a cure for others. For those who knew Corey, he will be remembered forever for his off-the-wall humorous wit that truly defined him. He had an incredible mind for laughter and joy, and had the biggest heart many have ever known. He extended a hand of welcome to all those he met, whether in church, neighborhood or work life. When asked about his legacy, Corey's hope was to be remembered for reaching out and giving to others. The world is a better place for having had Corey, and we know he now rests in the arms of our heavenly Father. Corey was preceded in death by his father, Tim Brown. Survivors: Wife, Susan Forney Brown; children, Berk, Maisey, Oat and Dasha; mother, Karla Brown; mother-in-law, Anne McVey; father-in-law, Alan Forney (Jinnie); sister, Elizabeth Forney McCarthy (Bob), Kristin Forney Franklin (Tom); brother, John Forne (Laura); and numerous beloved aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews.