Otis J Brown

He accepted Jesus Christ and was baptized at the age of fifteen at First Community Baptist Church in Arlington, Texas.

Jamaal was raised by hardworking and loving parents who instilled in him a strong sense of family. He was a big brother that his siblings admired and looked up to.

Jamaal attended Sam Houston High School where his leadership and athletic talents were undeniable. He earned All-State honors in both track and basketball. During his basketball senior year, he was the MVP of the Texas All-Star Game and in track and field set the school record by clearing 6 '10 in the high jump. To honor his many achievements and accolades, Sam Houston High School Men’s Basketball team will retire his high school jersey - Number 30.

After he graduated high school in 1988, Jamaal attended The Ohio State University where he became a notable basketball champion, helping to lead the Buckeyes to two back-to-back Big Ten titles. Jamaal played for the Buckeyes from 1988 through 1992. He was legendary for scoring more than 1,000 points during his tenure as a Buckeye. He served as team captain his senior year, and also helped lead his team in 1991 and 1992 to the Sweet 16 and Elite Eight. He was nicknamed “Mr. Dependable,” for his steady, reliable presence on the basketball court.

After college, Jamaal played basketball internationally, in Latvia, Austria and Luxembourg, Germany. Going abroad sparked his love of global travel and culture.

In good and bad times, it was family and friends that sustained him. In words and deeds, Jamaal let everyone around him know that he valued family above everything else. His greatest achievement in life was being a loving dad to his children Meghan, Jordan, Amaal and Julius.

In addition to raising his own family, he always made time and space for other children. He coached youth basketball and would speak to students about sports and life, always encouraging them to do their best. Despite his stellar basketball reputation, he always remained humble.

He loved having a good time, dancing (not caring if people laughed at his goofy moves) and acting silly with his friends and family, especially his grandkids, nieces and nephews.

He enjoyed reminiscing about childhood events, telling jokes, and embodying the definition of being “chill”, as reflected in one of his favorite sayings: “too easy.”

His kids called him the name of his favorite song, “Big Poppa”. Though Jamaal loved old school rap, he also enjoyed jazz music. In fact, he spent countless hours just sitting on the balcony of his apartment listening to jazz and appreciating the downtown Dallas city skyline.

In his work life at UPS, Jamaal loved being active and physical so much that he preferred UPS routes that included office buildings and apartments with multiple levels – simply so he could walk the stairs and get his exercise.

Like his father “Pops,” who was his best friend, Jamaal was a dedicated worker: the kind of man who didn’t take a lot of days off from work and was often up early to get things done.

After many years of coaching youth basketball, Jamaal created Slam Fest to give back to the community he loved.

Because of his positive outlook on life, Jamaal preferred saying “later” rather than “goodbye.” His family and friends know that one day, they’ll see him later. In the meantime, he will forever be in our hearts.

Jamaal is survived by his parents, Otis Brown, Rosie Brown, and Theresa King-Wilson; siblings Thasunda (Richard) Duckett, Reggie (Anick) Brown, Tyrone Bryant, Michelle (Joseph) Cowart, and Lamar Wilson; daughter Meghan (Jonathan) Ripoche; sons Jordan (Emily) Brown, Amaal Brown and Julius Brown; and grandchildren: Haylynn Maxwell-Brown, Callie Maxwell-Brown, Jordan Maxwell-Brown, Jr., August Maxwell-Brown, Amaal Rashad and Zielle Kay. In addition, his grandmother, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins and close friends also mourn his passing.

In lieu of flowers, the Brown Family requests those who wish to express sympathy to consider making a donation to Jamaal.extraordinary.org. Donations will support Slam Fest which was founded by Jamaal to bring basketball and community together.