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Rodney Brown Obituary
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 [email protected] 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.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Rodney Brown
Sponsored by All Faiths Funeral Services North Austin Location.
JAMIE ANDERSON
October 26, 2025
This is very sad news. I haven't seen Rodney for several years but he had recently been in my thoughts. We met in a political campaign in the early '70's when Dick Nichols ran for Austin City Council after having previously been defeated for voting in favor of a fair housing ordinance. Our campaign was successful by the way thanks to the hard work of public school teachers and other concerned citizens. We would run into each other now and then over the years and it was always a pleasant reunion. He was such a nice man and a real voice for democracy. I know he was a friend of Dan Robertson who was also a dear friend of mine. Deepest sympathy to his family on the loss of a genuinely good man. Jamie Anderson
Terri Curtis (Lehman)
October 20, 2025
Mr. Brown was my Social Studies teacher. He taught with passion and a sense of humor. RIP Sir.
Class of '79
Amanda A
October 18, 2025
My condolences to the family. Mr. Brown was my teacher at Johnston and was one of the best teachers I ever had.
Jessica Crout Russo
October 18, 2025
I was fortunate to have Mr. Brown and can say without hesitancy that he was a man devoted to his craft. He had the most wonderful spirit, the kindest heart, and an infectious smile. He was one of the reasons I went into education.
I am so profoundly grateful for his life and legacy.
Jessica Crout Russo
A.S. Johnston, class of `89
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Tony Castillo
October 18, 2025
Rodney was a dear friend & colleague. We taught at Johnston high school for over 3o years. He was one of a kind & will be missed by many. Our condolences to all the family.
Rest in peace dear friend.
Julie Ramirez Foster
October 18, 2025
Mr Brown was my teacher and he was a great teacher. I always remembered him. My prayers to his family . Class of 73.
Gloria Aleman
October 18, 2025
Mr. Brown was a wonderful and respectful teacher with an awesome sense of humor. My prayers and thoughts to his family. Johnston High school student will always remember him with much love.
Belinda Reyna
October 17, 2025
Sorry for your loss
Maggi Miller
October 14, 2025
Rodney Brown was always dedicated to making the world a better place. His work with the teacher's union made his name recognizable, but it was his genuine smile and kindness that will stick with me. My late husband really admired Rodney and I guess it was a mutual admiration society because Rodney went out of his way to tell me how much he appreciated Dan. Rodney will be missed. Austin is a poorer place without him in it.
Ellen Dominguez Cerda
October 13, 2025
It was an honor to have Mr. Brown for my Social Studies Class in my 10th grade year 73/74 era . He had wonderful great skills and had compassion with all of his students. Will always remember Mr. Rodney Brown.
Christine
October 13, 2025
To the family of Mr. Brown,
Mr. Brown was my teacher ( history ) and he was the best of the best. Always had a smile and ready to talk to everyone. I lost touch of him after graduation until a few years back I saw him at a AFL-CIO fish fry on Labor Day weekend. May he Rest in Peace
Class of '76 ( Johnston High School )
Christine
Marvin R Wofford
October 12, 2025
Rodney was a friend, colleague, and mentor to me for over 50 years. I will miss him terribly.
Paul and Perry Kay Brown
October 12, 2025
Our condolences to Rodney's family. We send our love and prayers.
Ronnie Reyes
October 9, 2025
Mr. Brown (as he will always be to me) was a great teacher, motivator and an overall kind person. He was funny, down to earth and connected easily with everyone. Of all the teachers at AS Johnston he was for sure one I remember (and I didn't even have him for a class). Loyal forever.
Class of '88.
Glenda Black
October 9, 2025
I am not usually a union person, but Rodney was such a powerful advocate for us, fellow teachers at Johnston, that I signed up! I always appreciated how he went to bat for our faculty members!
Greg Blackmore
October 9, 2025
He was a great neighbor for many years. Watching out fo Ms. Leigh and our Mom
Showing 1 - 16 of 16 results
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