Charles Urban Brown, Jr. was born on September 26, 1948, in St. Louis, Missouri, to Charles Brown, Sr. and Ethelinda Brown. He and his younger brother, James (“Jimmy,” born in 1950), were raised in the Carondelet neighborhood, where their family were active members of Quinn Chapel AME Church.
Charles began kindergarten prior to integration and was bused to L’Ouverture Elementary School. After integration began, he attended carondelet neighborhood schools—Maddox and Blow—where his mother was a devoted volunteer. During these years, Charles took piano lessons, played clarinet in the school band, and spent summers at the YMCA’s Camp River Cliff in Bourbon, Missouri. He would later reflect that the camp staff instilled values and lessons that stayed with him throughout his life.
By the time Charles entered his freshman year at Cleveland High School, his natural athleticism was evident. He joined the Cleveland High School Dutchmen football team, excelling as a running back. After graduating in 1967, Charles earned an athletic scholarship to Northeast Missouri State University. During his junior year of high school, he began dating Roberta (“Bobbie”) Simon. The two eloped in 1968, and Bobbie joined Charles in Kirksville. They welcomed their son, Anthony Charles Brown, in 1969.
At Northeast Missouri State University, Charles continued to thrive athletically, playing football as a defensive back. He also became a member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., and helped organize the Iota Theta Chapter at NEMSU. This brotherhood was a lifelong source of pride, purpose, and connection for him.
Charles graduated in 1971 and returned to St. Louis, where he completed his student teaching at his alma mater, Cleveland High School. He went on to teach physical education in the St. Louis Public Schools at Enright Junior High School and coached football, wrestling, and track and field at Soldan High School. During his decade in education, Coach Brown became a mentor and role model to hundreds of young people.
In 1974, Charles and Bobbie welcomed their daughter, Tanya Tolise Brown. The couple opened a neighborhood confectionary, Bobbie’s Corner, at Colorado Avenue and Fillmore Street—across from the home where Charles had grown up. They were deeply rooted in the Carondelet community, known as trusted friends, confidants, and hosts who welcomed everyone. Charles and Bobbie loved entertaining family and friends, dancing disco and bop, and traveling together.
In 1982, Charles left teaching and became an electrician with DeBow Electric, joining I.B.E.W. Local One. After sustaining an ischemic stroke in 1998, Charles retired on disability. During his recovery, he discovered and developed new passions, most notably genealogy. He became a leader within his extended family, organizing family reunions and becoming an expert researcher of his family’s history. Charles participated in the documentary Banished, which chronicled the racial cleansing and hangings of Pierce City, Missouri, in 1901. He later founded the St. Louis African American History and Genealogy Society, once again serving as a mentor and leader to genealogists across the country.
Perhaps the role that brought Charles the greatest joy was that of Grandpa. He discovered with intense joy how easily four little girls could wrap him around their fingers. Evangelina, Scarlet, Amelia and Sloane brought immense happiness and pride to his final years.
Charles leaves to cherish his memory his beloved wife of 57 years, Bobbie Brown; his son, Tony (Jennifer) Brown; his daughter, Tanya (Charbel) Yaacoub; his granddaughters Eva, Scarlet, Amelia, and Sloane; his brother, James (Jillar) Brown; sisters-in-law Sheila Savka, Cheryl (John) Cole, and Kim (Guy) Gendron; brothers-in-law Kevin Simon, Robert Simon, and Todd (Cathy) Simon; as well as numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Ethelinda Brown; his parents-in-law, Robert and Thelma Simon; brothers-in-law Art Simon and Gary Savka; and granddaughters Stella and Francesa Brown.
A Celebration of Life honoring Charles Urban Brown, Jr. will be held on February 28, 2026, at Wydown United Church, 6501 Wydown Blvd., Clayton, Missouri. Visitation will take place from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., followed by a Celebration of Life service at 1:00 p.m. In honor of Charles’ lifelong pride in Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., and his joyful spirit, the family invites attendees to wear purple and gold—or their most loved colors—as we celebrate his life and legacy.