Leo A. Brown

Leo Allen Brown, 72, of Quinlan, Texas, entered his Heavenly home on February 16, 2025.  He was born on October 13, 1952, in Defiance, Ohio, to the late Robert & Virginia (Warren) Brown.  Leo grew up in Oakwood, Ohio and was a 1970 graduate of Oakwood High School.  His love for music began at an early age, as he took years of piano and organ lessons and played trombone in the band.  He lived over half of his life in Oakwood, enjoying the simplicity of small-town living, which instilled in him an unmatched work ethic at an early age.

Leo dreamt of being a farmer and he spent over 25 years milking cows and farming land around the Oakwood area.   While there, Leo met and married Rita in 1991, where she so willingly became an instant mom to his three children, Pete, Sara, and Kris. Whenever Rita’s ministry required a relocation to a new church, Leo so selflessly followed without hesitation. He supported her through her career and trusted God through it all.  His faith was unwavering and admirable as he knew God would make a way for their family wherever He called them.  They spent their marriage serving and blessing others – with him at the organ and piano and her at the pulpit in churches in Oakwood, Elida, Lebanon, and Lancaster. Upon their retirement to Texas, Leo continued to share his musical gifts as the church organist at Quinlan United Methodist Church until the end of his life.  

Due to the many moves, Leo left farming – but did so with a positive attitude and a leap of faith.  He worked for National Lime & Stone, Martin Marietta, and went on to retire in 2018 from the Fairfield County Engineer’s Office, where he considered himself blessed to work on the roads crew. In all his jobs, he was quickly valued and admired with his incredible work ethic and witty sense of humor.  

Leo had a passion for gardening and landscaping.  He was the one everyone would ask for advice on their plants and he loved sharing his knowledge.   Not only that, he would grow his own plants to share with others and his plants are now scattered at the homes of friends and family from Michigan to Texas. Upon his move to Texas, Leo quickly became known in his community as the local landscaper.  He would work from sun-up to sundown, yet he didn’t refer to it as “work”, as he was having the most fun he had ever had in his life.  His yard and flower beds were the envy of the neighborhood and always became a topic of conversation.  Although Leo reaped the reward of his hard work year after year by having a beautiful yard, he gained something even greater – friendship.  He had the master green thumb, and Heaven is certainly a more beautiful place now that he is there.  

More than anything, Leo adored his family and cherished his friends.  He was a supportive and loving father, who would do anything for his family.  Leo’s love for his grandchildren moved him to Texas, after claiming he would never retire.  He was an amazing Grandpa, who enjoyed every moment spent with Blaine and Charleigh.  They were his pride and joy, and he relished every opportunity to spend time with them.   He was a treasured brother and uncle, who genuinely took interest in the lives of his many siblings, nieces, and nephews.  

Leo was truly one-of-a-kind.  He was a simple man, yet simply sensational. He was multi-talented in many areas yet always remained humble. He didn’t sweat the small stuff but, rather, found joy in each new day. Leo didn’t yearn for anything as he considered every day like vacation and was truly content. He was the hardest working man that most of us knew, yet approached it with an attitude of gratefulness.  He had a wonderful sense of humor and was quite the storyteller.  Leo was genuine, giving, and lived his life to serve others and the Lord.  Although he left this earth far too soon, his legacy of positivity, service to others, and faithfulness will live on for years to come. He will be greatly missed by all who loved and knew him.

In addition to his parents, Leo was preceded in death by his wife, Reverend Rita K. Brown; son, Pete Brown; and sister, Cynthia Grimes.  He leaves behind to cherish his memory: daughter, Sara Pollock of Morrow, Ohio; daughter and son-in-law, Kristine & Scott Reed of Fairview, Texas; two grandchildren, Blaine & Charleigh Reed; brothers and sisters-in-law, Bob & Sue Brown of Oakwood, Ohio, Bill & Linda Brown of Antwerp, Ohio, and Larry & Diane Brown of Defiance, Ohio; sister and brother-in-law, Rainell & Bill Koenn of Cecil, Ohio; brother-in-law, Eugene “Beanie” (Gloria) Grimes of Toledo, Ohio; and countless nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, February 23, 2025 at 2:00pm at Ted Dickey West Funeral Home, 7990 President George Bush Turnpike, Dallas, TX 75252.  Visitation will be held on Saturday, March 1, 2025 from 9:30-11:00am, with a Celebration of Life Service beginning at 11:00am at the Oakwood Community Church, 202 E. Harmon St., Oakwood, Ohio 45873. Inurnment will follow in Oak Grove Cemetery, Oakwood.