Aaron Hamilton Brown Jr.

Aaron is preceded in death by his loving wife of 70 years, Cynthia Chancey Brown. Parents: Aaron H. Brown, Sr. and Elsie Oglesby Brown. Brothers: W.C. Brown, Sr., Kenneth R. Brown, and Francis H. Brown, all of whom he loved dearly.

Aaron is survived by daughters: Cindy Cahoon (Sam), Brenda Rolison (David), Diane Brown-Smith (Mark), and Sharon G. Brown. Grandchildren: Chanda Wright (Mark), Alicia Smith (Ryan), David Rolison, Jr. (Christy), Dana Umstead, (Ryan), Brittany Weinbrenner (John), Tate Brown-Smith (Hillary). Great-grandchildren: David Rolison III, Isabelle Umstead, Doria Wright, Blake Umstead, Cole Rolison, Brayden Smith, Mason Smith, August Weinbrenner, June Weinbrenner, and Brooke Rolison. Nephews: W.C. Brown, Jr. (Beverly), Richard K. Brown. Nieces: Debra Ahearn (Charles), Donna Thompkins (Ron), and Michelle Watts. Sisters-in-law: Sonja Wright and Catherine Chancey.

Aaron was raised in Hart Haven on the west side of Jacksonville during the height of the Great Depression. He was the second of four sons born to Aaron and Elsie Brown in 1928. He often recounted that he would milk the cow every morning before going to school. As an older boy, he helped his parents by pumping gas at the family two-pump gas station/store which was located on US-90 and adjacent to their home. He attended Thomas Jefferson Elementary School and then Robert E. Lee High School, where during his senior year, he would meet and fall in love with his future bride, Cynthia Chancey. Following graduation, Aaron accepted a football scholarship to the University of Florida where he played center, tackle and guard. He was a Fighting Gator from 1946 to 1950 and was an avid Gator fan the rest of his life – Go Gators! Aaron went on to receive a master’s degree from UF. In 1950, Aaron and Cynthia were married and began their Christian life together. Aaron joined the United States Navy as a recruiter and Navy football line coach. In 1954, Aaron was hired as a P.E. teacher and football line coach at Andrew Jackson High School. In 1956, when the new Terry Parker High School was opened in Arlington, Aaron was hired as the athletic director and head football coach. Aaron coached and mentored many wonderful young men at Terry Parker from 1956 through1964. Aaron has maintained close lifelong friendships with many of his former players. They have been faithful friends and Aaron always enjoyed their many phone calls and visits through the years as he relived the good old days at Terry Parker. There are too many former players to list, but he loved all these men to the end. You know who you are, and Cindy, Brenda, Diane, and Sharon thank you from the bottom of our hearts for all you meant to him. Aaron was fortunate to have many lifelong coaching friends from Terry Parker such as Frazier Long, Jack Taylor, Jake Thoman, Fred Pickard, Hal Boney, and others.

In 1956, Aaron and Cynthia moved from the west side to Arlington, where they raised their family. They joined Terry Parker Baptist Church and remained lifelong members there. Aaron loved the Lord Jesus and his church family, and they had many lifelong friendships there. His Christian-walk was evident as he served as a church deacon and Sunday School teacher for many decades. He was a respected and well-loved member of the church and the Arlington community.

Following Aaron’s coaching years, he accepted an administrative job in 1964 with the Duval County Public Schools as the Supervisor of Health, Safety and Civil Defense. In 1968, he was appointed Supervisor of Physical Education and Safety. In 1970, Aaron was promoted to Director of Athletics for the Duval County Public Schools where he stayed until his retirement in 1983. In 1984, Aaron was the Executive Director for the XVIII National Junior Olympic games held in Jacksonville. In 1985, Aaron was hired as the Manager of the Gator Bowl, Veterans Coliseum and Wolfson Baseball Park. In 1987, Mayor Jake Godbold appointed him the Deputy Director for the Sports Complex, City of Jacksonville.

Some of his achievements during his career include:

1960, 1961, and 1962 - Coach of the Year, Gateway Conference

1985 - Jacksonville Sports Hall of Fame Inductee - Championship Football Player and Outstanding Coach and Administrator in Duval County Public Schools

2005 - Terry Parker High School Hall of Fame Inductee, 50th year Anniversary

Aaron’s greatest achievement in life, however, is his Christian faith, his never-ending and devoted love for Cynthia and his family, his upstanding character, his strength, his integrity, his wisdom, his humility, his generosity, and the legacy he and Cynthia left for their children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and future generations to come.

Aaron was a devoted husband and father. In the early years, Aaron and Cynthia took their four daughters on many summer camping trips to their beloved north Georgia mountains. In the 1990’s, Aaron and Cynthia found a parcel of land in Clayton, Georgia and Aaron spent six months building Cynthia an amazing summer/fall/spring mountain home. Every family member has such incredible memories of the laughs and great times spent there, thanks to his hard work and sacrifice. His joy was being surrounded by his family and when we all gathered there, it didn’t get any better.

Aaron was an incredibly funny person and people naturally gravitated towards him. His numerous friends are evidence of that. He was an exceptional human being and as his health deteriorated, he was an inspiration to us all as he was filled with God’s grace and love, always concerned about us and not himself.

Aaron’s family would like to take this opportunity to thank all the home-health nurses, ARNP’s, and the physical therapist who was so good to him and encouraged him weekly.

Aaron will be missed daily but we know our parents, grandparents and great-grandparents are walking the streets of heaven and once again hand in hand. Yes, Dad is walking and yes, Mom remembers his name! We are blessed beyond measure.

A viewing will be held Friday, October 18, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. at Terry Parker Baptist Church, 7024 Merrill Road, Jacksonville, FL, 32277. The Celebration of Life service will begin at noon, Revs. J.J. Keehn and Tom Keisler officiating. Interment to follow at Dignity Riverside Memorial Park located at 7242 Normandy Blvd., Jacksonville, FL 32205, Hardage-Giddens Funeral Home attending. In lieu of flowers, a donation may be made to Terry Parker Baptist Church in Aaron’s memory.