The Reverend Doctor Carl H. Brown

BROWN The Reverend Doctor Carl H. Brown, 82, longtime and beloved senior pastor of the University Baptist Church near Ohio State, died Thursday at Riverside Methodist Hospital. He was in the loving care of his family, friends and staff at the hospital as he died. Generous of spirit, filled with kindness and love, he also had a sense of humor well-known to all. He felt his Christian ministry as a blessing to his life. He served as senior pastor at Geneva Road Baptist Church in Wheaton, Ill. from 1957-1962 and at University Baptist Church in Columbus from 1963-1991. Upon retirement he served for 13 years as associate pastor at Mountview Baptist Church in Upper Arlington. Carl profoundly touched the lives of thousands of people with his personal style. Also, his sermons, prayers and writings all contained a graceful simplicity that etched deep into the souls of his parishioners. He felt his most precious gift in life was his family. He is survived by his devoted wife of 59 years, Shirley Grace Isenberg Brown, originally of Detroit; son, Gregory Brown and his wife Nancy Perkins of Columbus, and daughter Patti James and her husband Gregory James of Murfreesboro, TN; grandsons Nicholas Brown and Kyle Brown, of Columbus, and Cameron James, Jonathan James, Joshua James, and Drew James of TN; brother Lawrence Brown and his wife Dorothy Brown, of Redford Township, MI and sister Betty Zimmerman and her husband Robert Zimmerman of Saint Clair Shores, MI; sister-in-laws Bernice Childers, of Florida, and Maxine Masterson and husband James Masterson, of Dearborn Heights, MI; many nephews and nieces, and thousands of friends around the globe. He was preceded in death by parents Jones Herschel Brown and Gordie Stout Brown originally of Nameless, TN. Carl was born in Nameless, TN. Jan. 1, 1926. The family moved to Detroit and he graduated from Western High School in 1944. He entered the US Navy in 1944 and served for two years, including as quartermaster on the USS Hydrus in the Pacific theater. He graduated from Wayne State University and Northern Baptist Seminary, where he earned his seminary and doctoral degrees. He was always proud and honored to be affiliated with The Ohio State University. He was a passionate Buckeye fan and as well felt privileged to be associated with colleagues in the Campus Ministry Association at Ohio State. The intellectual stimulation of the university, faculty, students, staff and his pastoral colleagues spoke to his personal ministry on a daily basis. He will be dearly missed by his family and friends. His life was a beacon of faith, hope and love to us all. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to a fund in his name at University Baptist Church. Calling hours will be Sunday, Sept. 7 from 2:00-4:00 p.m., and 7:00-9:00 p.m. at RUTHERFORD-CORBIN FUNERAL HOME, 515 High Street, Worthington. His memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Monday, Sept. 8 at the University Baptist Church, 50 W. Lane Ave., Columbus, with the Reverend Robert Russell officiating. Calling hours at 10:00 a.m. at the church. Condolences may be sent to www.rutherfordfuneralhomes.com

The Reverend Doctor Carl H. Brown

September 4, 2008