Anthony Brown

1945 - 2025

Anthony Dale Brown passed away peacefully at home on October 9, 2025, after a sudden cancer diagnosis.

Born September 14, 1945, in Alameda, California, to Essie and Arthur Brown and older brother Stan, Dale attended Pleasant Porter Elementary School (and met lifelong friends Gary Bennett and Ronnie Durbin), graduated from Webster High School in 1963, and began his studies at the University of Tulsa. Dale enlisted in the U.S. Navy in June 1966 and served in the Vietnam War as Yeoman Second Class. Stationed on the USS Forrestal, he survived the devastating July 1967 shipboard fire in the Gulf of Tonkin. He was then stationed in Japan until his honorable discharge in September 1970.

Dale returned to TU, where he met his future wife, Pamela Edwards, in a journalism class. On the first day, the instructor asked students to write a descriptive paragraph about another student in the room, and what Dale wrote about Pam won him a date, and eventually 52 years of marriage. They were married in September 1973 by their Religious Studies professor, Dr. Harold E. Hill, who remained a lifelong family friend.

Dale took great joy in being highly involved in the lives of his daughter Sarah and son Stephen, and later his grandchildren, Hal and Autumn. He never missed a practice, game, campout, or school event, and loved to get down on the floor and play whatever game they invented. He instilled in his children and grandchildren the importance of both being kind and being silly.

Dale had a 44-year career at Merrill Lynch as a Certified Financial Planner®, where he helped innumerable people support their families' dreams. His partnership with Chris Shannon, Edna Hird, and Arshi Farooqui was a highlight of his career.

In the '80s and '90s, Dale and Pam were active members of Christ United Methodist Church, particularly the Discovery Sunday school class, which launched many enduring friendships. They later attended College Hill Presbyterian Church for classes led by Dr. Hill.

Dale believed strongly in helping people and gave his time to many causes over the years, most recently at LIFE Senior Services, the Tulsa Library Adult Literacy program, Al-Anon Family Groups, and Gilcrease Museum, where he was both a Gillie and a docent.

Dale was an avid runner, completing several marathons (Tucson, Chicago, New York), often with his good friend Dr. James Young. He was also a voracious reader, with a passion for history and the arts, as well as a prolific cookie baker. Dale was a loyal and dependable friend and neighbor. He loved to travel, meet new people, and try new things, but the center of his life was always his family. Dale was happiest when dancing with his wife or enjoying a sunset, preferably on a beach. He never ended a phone call to his children without telling them that he loved them and was proud of them. He will be missed more than anyone could possibly put into words.

He is survived by his wife, Pamela, as well as his children, Sarah (Nick) Hughes and Stephen (Jessica) Brown, and his grandchildren, Hal Hughes and Autumn Brown; his brother, Stanley Brown (Becky); and many cousins, nieces, and nephews.

A memorial service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Monday, November 17, at All Souls Unitarian Church in Tulsa.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to LIFE Senior Services or Gilcrease Museum.