Obituary – Robert C. Brown Jr
Robert Coleman Brown, Jr. July 28, 1928 – Sept. 8, 2019
Robert Coleman “Bob” Brown, Jr., 91, passed away Sunday, Sept. 8, 2019 at the RidgeCrest nursing home in Jackson, MI. He was born July 28, 1928 in Jackson, MI, son of Mary (Gorton) and Robert C. Brown, Sr. On June 30, 1948 he married his high school sweetheart, Rosalie Chesney.
Bob is survived by his children, Sue (Russell John) Wagner of Gregory, MI, Donald (Margaret) Brown of Mason, MI, and David (Judith) Brown of Tipton, MI; grandchildren: Noel (Paula) Wagner, Jocilyn Wagner, Samuel Wagner, Martin Brown, Phillip Brown, Brandy Brown, and two great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Deborah Brown, and wife, Rosalie.
In their younger years, Bob and Rosie enjoyed archery, and later, square dancing was a favorite pastime. They lived in Stockbridge for many years where Bob owned and operated Brown’s Hardware and Brown’s Gas Service. When Bob drove school bus for the Stockbridge Schools, he wore a straw cowboy hat and was fondly known as “Ranger Bob.” As a side job, he worked with Ron Fillmore, excavating and installing in-ground swimming pools. After moving to Dexter in 1967, Bob worked for Hutzel Plumbing and later, for the University of Michigan as a Master Plumber. He was honored as a 50-year member of Local 190. Also while living in Dexter, he volunteered many years for Boy Scout Troop 448. While living in Kalamazoo, he worked and retired as a plumber at Bronson Hospital.
Thank you to the aides and nurses at RidgeCrest nursing home for their kind and loving care during Bob’s last three months. He will be greatly missed by his friends, family, and caretakers, but especially his children who cared for him daily.
A Memorial Service will be held on Sunday, October 20, 2019 at 2:00 p.m. at the Caskey-Mitchell Funeral Home in Stockbridge, MI. The family will receive friends from 1-2 p.m. A luncheon will follow at the Plainfield United Methodist Church. Private interment will take place at Oaklawn Cemetery in Stockbridge at a later date.
