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Leonard E. Brown Sr 1930 - 2009
From: ken_coleman@att.net
To: council@buffalosoldiersnational.com
Sent: 2/27/2009 11:39:26 P.M. Pacific Standard Time
Subj: A Fallen Soldier
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Today, Leonard
E. Brown Sr., a Buffalo Soldier, adopted father to our San Diego Associate
Member Carolyn Wilkins "CK", and my longtime friend and
co-worker of 35 years, was laid to rest.. “Big Kahuna”, "CK",
George & Lora Spicer
(San Diego), and I, provided escort for the family to our Sacramento
Valley National Cemetery.. I have attached three pictures, and duplicated the Obituary below. He was a true Soldier in his own rite, and will be missed. Leonard E. Brown, Sr., 78, was born July 6, 1930 in New Orleans , Louisiana . He was called to rest on February 13, 2009 in Baton Rouge , Louisiana after a lengthy illness. Leonard was a 40-year resident of California , where he resided in Monterey and Elk Grove. He and his wife Mary relocated to New Orleans in 2002, eventually settling in Gonzales , Louisiana following the Hurricane Katrina evacuation. He was preceded in death by his parents Clinton J. and Dorothy Victor-Brown, his grandmother Mattie Bailey, his extended-family son James French, Jr., and his oldest grandson Pardue Knox.
He is survived by his wife of 37 years, Mary L. Brown. He was the proud father of six children from his union with Yvette Lyman-Brown: Leonard Jr., Venita, Michael, Clinton, David (Jacqueline), and Yvette. Upon his marriage to Mary Brown his family immediately grew to include James, Mary, Raymond, Juanita, Myrtle Boggan (Walter), Michael, Christa, and Clifton (Angela). He is also survived by 25 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren, and two great-great-grandchildren. Additionally, he is survived by his only first cousin, Lenora Brown, with whom he was raised as if they were brother and sister. Whether known as Dad, Daddy, Len, Pops, or Mr. Brown, he will be remembered by a host of others as a friend, a confidant, and a surrogate father.
Leonard graduated from Booker T. Washington High School in New Orleans , and attended Southern University prior to enlisting in the United States Army on May 30, 1950. During his 20 years of military service he served in the Korean Conflict with the 24th Infantry Regimental Combat Team, Buffalo Soldiers. He retired from the Army on June 30, 1970 at Fort Ord , California . Following his military retirement he began a second career with the California Department of Corrections as a Correctional Officer at the Correctional Training Facility, Soledad . He promoted to Correctional Counselor I, and later transferred to the Deuel Vocational Institution in Tracy . He subsequently promoted to Correctional Counselor II at Folsom State Prison, where he retired in December 1991 after 21 years of service. During his career with Corrections, Leonard was recognized for meritorious action for saving an inmate’s life and for implementing a cost saving institutional procedure.
In addition to his love for his family, Leonard had three passions in life: service to his country, fulfilling his life-long dream of being a member of the New Orleans Zulu Club, and being a devoted 28-year season ticket holder for the San Francisco 49ers. Known for introducing the delicacy of New Orleans fried turkey to the Sacramento area; he was a consummate chef who delighted in continually expanding his culinary repertoire for the benefit of his family, friends, and church family.
In recognition of Leonard’s widespread family and friends, his life and home going, was also celebrated in services at Cornerstone United Methodist Church in New Orleans with special recognition from the 24th Infantry Regimental Combat Team Association. Following the services in Sacramento the Buffalo Soldiers Motorcycle Clubs of San Diego and Sacramento will escort Leonard to his final internment at the Sacramento Valley National Cemetery in Dixon , California . |
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