Carl R. Brown's Obituary
The family of Carl Rueben Brown is saddened to announce his passing on Sunday, November 11, 2012. Mr. Brown, the youngest of six children, was born to the union of Henry Neal and Inez Ophelia Brown on November 25, 1926 in Waco, Texas. Mr. Brown attended Waco Public Schools, graduating with honors from A. J. Moore High School in May, 1943. He began his experiences in higher education at Samuel Huston College in Austin, Texas in September 1943. He was drafted into the U. S. Air Force in April 1945. After his discharge from the military in November, 1946, Mr. Brown attended Paul Quinn College in Waco, graduating with honors in May, 1949. Mr. Brown earned a Master's degree in Education Administration from Prairie View A&M College in 1965, completed graduate courses in English and Administration at the University of Washington between 1966 and 1969 and a Black Studies Program at Atlanta University in 1969.
Choosing education as a career, Mr. Brown taught English and other core courses at the Moore High Veterans' School for eight years. From 1958 to 65 he was employed as principal/teacher /coach at Gatesville State School for Boys in Gatesville, Texas. After moving to Tacoma in 1965, he taught at Woodbrook Junior High School for four years before being employed as Director of Minority Affairs at Tacoma Community College. Mr. Brown received annual promotions during his 20 years at TCC and retired as Director of Support Services in 1989.
Mr. Brown was deeply committed to his community, serving as president of the Tacoma Urban League Board of Directors for two years; as president of the NAACP, Tacoma Branch for six years; as president of the Caballeros Club for three years, and as chairman of the Tacoma-Pierce County Black Collective for many years. He was appointed a commissioner for the Tacoma Human Rights Commission; as a commissioner on the Tacoma Housing Authority and as a member of the City of Tacoma Civil Service Board. He was appointed by the Governor as the first African American to serve as a member of Bates Technical College Board of Trustees. Additionally, Mr. Brown was one of the founders of Delta Pi chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.; a member of Egyptian Lodge #44, Prince Hall Masons of Washington and its Jurisdiction, and a member and former trustee of Allen African Methodist Episcopal Church.
Mr. Brown LOVED engaging his friends in lively games of dominoes and pinochle. He could often be found participating in rousing conversations and discussions which frequently led to political and philosophical debates.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Henry and Inez; his siblings, Christopher, Sr., Joseph, Lessie, Henry, Jr., and Louis, and sisters-in-law, Arthalia Brown and Mary Louise Barnes. The surviving members of Mr. Brown's family include his wife of 47 years, Mrs. Irene Brown; son, Bruce Brown, Waco, Texas; daughter, Rev. Barbara Brown, Tacoma, WA; nephew, Christopher, Jr, Williams Lake, BC, Canada ; and brother-in-law, George (Marion) Austin, of Amarillo, TX. Additional survivors include two grandsons, nephews and a several great-grandchildren. His extended family includes many relatives and friends who reside in Waco, New York City, Los Angeles, Atlanta and other parts of the country.
Viewing of the body will be at Mountain View Funeral Home in Lakewood on Friday, November 16, from 3-9 p. m. Funeral services for Mr. Brown will be at Allen AME Church, 1223 Martin L. King Jr. Way, at 11 a. m. on Saturday, November 17 with interment at Mountain View Garden of Faith. A reception will be held at Allen AME following the interment. In lieu of flowers and other floral arrangements, contributions may be donated to the NAACP or the scholarship fund of Allen AME Church.
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