Thomas E. Brown

BESSEMER, Mich. - Thomas E. Brown of Bessemer was received into the hands of our Lord on March 4, 2025.
He was the son of Richard (Dick) and Lucille (Trevarthen) Brown. Tom was born on April 6, 1945, in Ironwood. He attended school in Bessemer and Wakefield, graduating in 1963 from Northern Michigan University. After graduation, Tom moved to Clarkston. It was there he met and married the love of his life and best friend, Leverna "Lee" Stilwell.
Tom had a passion for teaching and spent 33 years teaching elementary and middle school for the Clarkston School District. He took great pride in being the chief negotiator for the teacher's union and in being a member of the Michigan Education Association and other groups. He was ever present during marching band competitions, not just supporting his children, but all who were involved.
Tom and Lee established the outdoor education program in Clarkston. This program came from the many summers Tom spent at Detroit YMCA camps in Holly Ohiyesa and Oscoda Nissokone, where he was camp director.
After retiring, Tom returned to Bessemer. This was the perfect spot for his retirement. Always a storyteller, Tom loved to tell tales of his time growing up in the U.P. His students knew if they could get him talking about his childhood 15 minutes before the bell on a Friday, there would be no weekend homework.
Tom continued his love of education by running for and being elected to the Gogebic Community College Board of Trustees. Tom also had a love for the arts, worked with many volunteers to raise funds to restore the Barton Pipe Organ at the Historical Ironwood Theatre, and sat on the Board for the Downtown Arts Place. He also worked with the Historic Ironwood Theatre.
Tom was a member of the Wakefield United Methodist Church, where he served as lay leader.
Tom was married to Lee on April 10, 1971. They had been married for 53 years.
Tom is survived by his wife, Lee; their three children, Shane (Debbie), Jeremy and Heidi; three grandchildren, Madelyn, Alyssa and Cameron; his three brothers, Clifford (Marianne), David (Sharon) and Richard (Tony); and several nieces and nephews.
We would be remiss if we failed to mention Tom's very special grand dogs, Charlie Brown and Chewbacca Rose, who always looked to grandpa as the weakest link at the dinner table and the one who gave the best scratches. Tom also leaves behind two cats, Sherlock and Dr. Watson, whom he loved dearly, but if you ever asked him, Tom would tell you he was not a cat person.
A Celebration of Life will be held May 31 at the Wakefield United Methodist Church. Family will welcome friends at 10 a.m., with the service starting at 11 a.m. A luncheon will follow at the Golden Dragon Restaurant in Ironwood.
The family would like to thank Jerald Rocco, owner and manager of Lakeside Memorial Chapel Inc., in Wakefield, who has been assisting the family with final arrangements. To send online condolences or share a memory, go to lakesidememorialchapel.com.
Tom was a giving and gentle soul. He will be missed. Do something kind for someone in his honor today.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Downtown Arts Place, the Historic Ironwood Theatre, YMCA Camps Ohiyesa or Nissokone, or the Gogebic Community College Foundation.