Richard Lee Brown

Richard Lee Brown, 82, of Horse Shoe, North Carolina, died of a stroke Tuesday, April 4, 2023, at the Elizabeth House in Flat Rock, NC.
He was born on May 14, 1940, in Marion, Ohio to the late James Thomas Brown and Marjorie Jean Earhart Brown. Richard was preceded in death by brother Larry Thomas Brown, sister Jean Marie Brown Cummings and daughter-in-law Allyson Renee Brown.
Richard grew up in grim circumstances. His father, a World War II veteran, passed away when Richard was just seven years old. Richard was separated from his siblings and sent to live with his Aunt Ruth in the 2nd grade. This was merely the beginning of a long journey of bouncing back and forth between 5 foster families and various relatives. He lived with a foster family during 3rd grade, his Aunt Faye during 4th, foster family during 5th, a different foster family during 6th, his mother during 7th, grandmother during 8th, his mother during the 1st half of 9th in Combs, KY and then hitch hiked back to Marion, OH to work. Aunt Blanche, from North Carolina, brought Richard to Hendersonville for the 10th and some of the 11th grade. After finding himself homeless again, Richard had to quit school and leave for St. Petersburg, FL. He eventually made his way back to Hendersonville and met a foster family through Barker Heights Baptist Church. Lloyd and Lena Conner, and their sons, were the most influential foster family in Richard's life and provided him a home until he graduated from Etowah High School in 1958.
Richard had more than a few excuses he could have used to justify 'giving up' or continuing on the same trajectory his parents set for him. Not Richard Brown! Richard used the tragedy of his formative years to fuel his fire of motivation. He began his life of service by working a paper route at the age of 13. He worked other various jobs until he began boot camp at the Great Lakes training facility in 1959. He served our country in the U.S. Navy as a Radioman Petty Officer 3rd Class from 1959-1963, during which the 1961 Bay of Pigs Invasion took place. After leaving the service, he enrolled into Brevard College where obtained his associate's degree (on the Honor Roll!) in 1964 while working in Job Corps. He transferred to UNCA and obtained his bachelor's degree in Social Studies in 1970. Richard began his teaching career at Rosa Edwards in 1970, before moving to Hendersonville Middle School. Richard became Hendersonville High School's Special Education Teacher, Tennis Coach, Cross Country Coach and Girl's JV Basketball Coach after commuting to Western Carolina University to obtain a master's degree in Special Education in 1973. Some of Richard's other accomplishments were: President of Hendersonville NCAE in 1973, Teacher of The Year Award while at Hendersonville Middle School in 1981, President, VP & Treasurer of the Optimist Club 1970-1974, President of Etowah Elementary PTO 1992-1993, NC High School Coach of the Year 1988, '89, '90, and '92, Henderson County Library Board of Directors for 18 years, President of the Single Foot Horse Association and finally, Richard was inducted into the Henderson County City Hall of Fame in 2011.
Richard met his wife, Dorothy, at a school dance in March of 1957. They were married at Shaw's Creek Baptist Church on January 1, 1960. Richard was stationed in Key West, FL at the time and hitch hiked his way to the church in Hendersonville, NC, just in time to be wed to his high school sweetheart. Together, they worked hard to build a life they loved. They inherited a tract of Dorothy's family land, which they named "Mountain Ranch", and made it into something that would continue to enrich generations to follow. They enjoyed taking their family to vacation at their timeshare on Hilton Head Island, SC, every July since 1978. Once they retired, they spent much of their time traveling the world and often inviting their family to join along. Their mutual love of tennis, combined with their list of never-ending chores, kept them active. Richard's other hobbies included: riding bicycles, traveling, hiking, mowing, yard work, taking care of animals, card games, journaling, some woodworking, etc.
If you knew Richard, you knew him to be quite the comedian, always willing to enjoy a snack and good conversation. In his early adult years, he was a competitor and public servant. In his last years on earth, he was still those things but it looked like counting steps, lifting bales of hay, seeking out the lone person in a room, singing to his great-grandchildren, telling the best jokes and stories at the coffee corner every Tuesday and Thursday after Silver Sneakers class, hosting reunions and parties at the Mountain Ranch Pavilion, driving around in his golf cart and "piddlin'". Richard lived his life with intention. He used his experiences to show compassion to every living soul he met.
Richard is survived by his wife of 63 years, Dorothy Anne Dalton Brown; his son, Brentley Flave Brown of Horse Shoe; son Barry Lee Brown and wife Patty Tillis Brown of Horse Shoe; daughter Briana Rachael Brown Johnson and husband Henry Charles Johnson of Horse Shoe; four grandchildren, Veronica Michelle Brown Grondahl and husband Bryant Edward Grondahl; Marshall Rausch Brown; Jada Rachel Johnson Edwards and husband Joseph Kendall Edwards; and Jared Elick Johnson; two great-grandchildren, Sutton James Edwards and Shaeffer Breigh Edwards; one step great-grandchild, Gaborik James Grondahl; sister-in-law Billie Dalton Schell and husband Barry Schell or Horse Shoe; many loving nieces and nephews.
Richard to most, Dad and Pap/Pappoo to some. As his eldest granddaughter stated, "Pap's advice to me was always, 'no matter where you come from, you gotta know that you're somebody! And you can do something.'. He carved a road for himself out of the rubble of his childhood, and in doing so, made his family's path smoother. But no matter what, he wanted those he loved to believe in their own inherent worth, and to use that as motivation to go forth and do good in the world." He truly was a jolly good fellow. His timeless phrases, advice, and legacy will live on.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, April 10, 2023, at Shaw's Creek Baptist Church, with Pastor Collin Terenzini officiating. The family will receive friends from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Sunday, April 9, 2023, at Hendersonville Racquet Club. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorials be made to Shaw's Creek Baptist Church, 91 Shaw's Creek Church Road, Hendersonville, NC, 28791.