Rodney Brown

1939 - 2025

Rodney C. Brown of Austin, Texas, died on Friday morning September 26, 2025 surrounded by his family. Rodney was born in Abilene, Texas to the late Fred D. Brown and Dorothy Herren Brown. He was raised farming alongside his father and brothers in Haskell, Texas. He graduated from Haskell High School in 1957. He attended McMurry College in Abilene, Texas and graduated with a Bachelor of Science June 1, 1964 and earned a Master of Science Education from Baylor University August 27, 1965.
Rodney moved to Austin and began his lifelong passion teaching at the Albert Sidney Johnston High School. He loved going to work every day and taught social studies for 33 years. Rodney touched many lives and spoke with a passionate voice to advocate for a quality education for students and a quality workplace for teachers. He believed strongly in the value and power of public education and was instrumental in organizing the local teachers' union, AFT 2048.
Throughout his life and work, Rodney strove to provide and advocate for equality of opportunity and outcome for all, no matter their background, striving to empower each student to reach their potential. His legacy will live on in the hearts of his students and colleagues, as he championed fairness, dedication, and the transformative power of education.
He is survived by his wife Cheryl Kilpatrick Brown; son and daughter in law, Aaron Brown and LanAnh Nguyen, granddaughter Mai Brown; his brothers Fred Brown, James Brown, and Paul Brown, and sister-in-law Darla Forsberg and their families. He was preceded in death by his wife Shelah Langston Brown, his brother George Brown and brother-in-law Herb Forsberg.
A Celebration of Life will be held on October 18th in Austin, TX.
E-mail rbcol@icloud.com for details and an invitation.
His family encourages anyone wishing to make a memorial contribution to please donate to your local elementary, middle school, or high school.