Charles Alfred Brown

Charles A. Brown, 81, passed away peacefully on Sunday, September 13, 2015, surrounded by his family. He was born on October 27, 1933 in Keota, OK to Robert Rufus and Eva Geraldine (Rose) Brown. Charles served in the National Guard and then retired from the US Air Force after 20 years of service as an NCO M.Sgt and with two years of Foreign Service. He enlisted in 1950 in Ft. Smith, AR and throughout his service was stationed in the Marshall Islands and Hawaii, at Kirtland AFB in New Mexico, at Altus AFB in Oklahoma, at Fontainebleau AFB in France, at Ramey AFB in Puerto Rico, and twice at Offutt AFB, HQ SAC in Nebraska. On May 22, 1954 he married the love of his life, Joy Cable, in Norman. Charles retired from the USAF on May 31, 1971 at Offutt AFB. During his service Charles received the National Defense Service Medal.
After his service in the National Guard and the Air Force Charles and Joy settled down in Norman with their four children. He went to work for the US Postal Service before attending the University of Oklahoma to obtain his Teacher’s Certification. Mathematics was a very strong suit for Charles and he taught accounting for many years, first at Marlow High School, then at Big Cabin High School, and finally at Star Spencer High School. Charles loved his students and had a very giving heart; he would frequently provide lunch money for those in need.
Charles was a great athlete and loved playing sports. He coached and played baseball, golf, and bowling in the Air Force, where he won many titles, championships, honors, and accolades leading his teams against other divisions of the US Armed Forces. He was fortunate to extend his love of sports to the schools at which he taught by coaching football and baseball.
Charles was a man of many talents and interests. He was a tinkerer and believed that if it could not be fixed with WD-40 and duct tape it couldn’t be fixed. He loved playing dominos and doing crossword puzzles. Charles was an avid gardener of both flowers and vegetables and he raised several animals, including cows, pigs, goats, horses, emu, and turkeys. Above all Charles was a very faithful man and he loved to read his Bible.
Charles was preceded in death by his parents and a son-in-law, Lonnie R. Clark. He is survived by: wife, Joy (Cable) Brown; son Jay Stanley Brown and wife Lisa; daughters Pamela G. Clark and husband Dave Timmons, Jenny K. Oliver and husband Bill, and Sherri L. Thorpe and husband Curtis; brother Larry Brown and wife Annette; sisters Quilla Lovely, Vi Terrell and husband Max, and Tammy Brown; grandchildren Jason Clark and wife Candice, Kristin Poarch and husband Tyler, Evan Whyte, Taylor Brown, Torrie Brown, and Meredith Raevan Thorpe; and many other nieces, nephews, and great-grandchildren.
Charles’ family would like to extend a special thank you to Dr. Muhammad Anwar and Ifikhar Sandu, PA-C of Norman, Quality Hospice, the Norman VA Hospital and Staff, Loving Care Home Health, and Right Choice Personal Assistance.
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