Charles H. Brown

    Charles H. Brown, the oldest of two sons, was born to Dora Roberta and Moses Brown on December 2, 1937 in Montgomery, Alabama.  His younger brother, Brett Alan, and his parents preceded him in death.  Dora and Moses, along with her sister and brother, left the south early in Charles’ life seeking employment in the factories of Detroit, leaving Charles in the care of his grandmother.

     It was in Montgomery that Charles became the self-appointed guardian of his younger cousins, a role that he proudly assumed lasting well into adulthood and ultimately extended to many.

     Charles joined his parents in Detroit in 1945 where he attended Detroit Public Schools graduating from Central High School where he excelled academically and lettered in three sports: basketball, football and track.

     The Brown family attended United Christian Church where Charles was baptized at the age of 12.  It was at United Christian that he nurtured many of his closest relationships including that of his life-long friend, Charles Mitchell. 

     Upon graduation from Central High School Charles matriculated to the University of Michigan where he became a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity.  Later he transferred to, and graduated from, Michigan State Normal College, [Eastern Michigan University).  It was here that he met and married Sharon Carole Morey. Together they are the parents of his three children, Mark David, Michele Denise, and Michael Christopher.

     After graduation, he attended University of Detroit Law School where he also excelled achieving Dean’s list on several occasions.  After graduation from law school, he became the first African American clerk to serve on the Michigan Court of Appeals where he clerked for Chief Judge T.J. Luzinsi. Shortly thereafter, he was appointed by US Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy as Assistant US Attorney for the Eastern District of Michigan.

     Brown went on to establish law practices specializing in personal injury, medical malpractice and real estate. His interest in real estate law led him to create real estate holding companies which specialized in residential, senior living, office and athletic facilities. Charles H. Brown ultimately became one of the most prominent African American real estate developers in Detroit’s history. In addition to his real estate holdings, Charles also became an investor in the gaming and airport concessions industries in metropolitan Detroit. Charles’ civic and philanthropic activities included countless organizations across the Detroit metropolitan area and left an indelible mark on our community.

      Charles is survived by all three of his children, all but one of his grandchildren (Nicholas Brown, Kelsey Brown, Isabella Tillman and Broderick Brown; his grandson Matthew Brown preceded him in death) several beloved first cousins, nieces, various other cousins, countless friends and other colleagues which helped shape modern day Detroit.

In lieu of flowers, donations should me made to:

Neighborhood Legal Services Michigan

Attn: Finance Department

7310 Woodward Suite 301

Detroit, Michigan 48202

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