Ronald Thomas Brown

Ronald Brown, 89, of Mesa, AZ passed away on October 13, 2021. He was born in Chicago, IL on July 7, 1932 and grew up in Des Plaines, IL. Ron graduated from Maine Township High School. He received his BA degree from Cornell College, his Master’s degree from University of Iowa, and his doctorate degree in Education from the University of Arizona. He retired from the Chandler Unified School District where he served as Principal of Galveston Elementary and later Goodman Elementary School. He was also a Junior High School principal for many years in Naperville, IL. Ron was very active in the Park District in Naperville, IL, leading the summer Recreation program and supervising the Centennial Beach Pool. He was a three-sport star at Cornell College in Iowa and continued his passion for athletics well into his adult life, coaching and playing competitive slow-pitch softball. He played into his 80’s, winning 6 world championships and was inducted into the USSSA Softball Hall of Fame in 1996 and the National Senior Softball Hall of Fame in 2013. Aside from sports, Ron also enjoyed creative writing, and placed in a national writing competition. Ron was a veteran of the Korean War and received several medals for his honorable service.

Those who knew Ron would describe him as kind, caring, humble, giving, fun-loving and charismatic, with a quick, dry sense of humor. He always greeted everyone with a big smile. He was a successful leader both in his personal and professional lives.

He is survived by his wife, Gay; his brother Harry Brown (Marilyn); his son Mike Brown (Lisa) and daughter Lynda Tuzil (George); his grandchildren Patrick (Laura), Christopher (Alexa), Nicholas, Link, Brooke, Trey and Alexa; his 3 great-grandchildren, Ella, Francis & Leopold; his 3 step-children: Jill Waskom (Larry), Mark Scholle (Karen), Kyle Williams (Dan); which includes 6 grandchildren, Chloe, Jordan, Caleb, Micah, Aidan and Samantha; and 6 great-grandchildren.

A committal service for Ronald will be held Saturday, November 6, 2021 from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM at Valley of the Sun Mortuary & Cemetery, 10940 East Chandler Heights Rd, Chandler, AZ 85248, followed by a celebration of life reception from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.valleyofthesunfuneralhome.com for the Brown family.