Nelson Anthony Brown Jr.

Nelson Brown passed away in the early morning hours of December 15, 2024, after a long battle with Parkinson’s disease. Nelson’s parents were Nelson and Evelyn Brown (nee Mahlon) of Mexico, Missouri. Nelson graduated from Mexico High School in 1963. He subsequently graduated from Michigan State University (MSU). While attending MSU, Nelson was active in the student movement against the Vietnam War and was a draft resister with conscientious objector status.

After the Vietnam War ended, Nelson attended Cooley Law School, graduating with honors.

In 1979, Nelson and his first wife (Jackie Brown) moved to Chicago and practiced law at the Legal Assistance Foundation for a decade. He then worked as an attorney for the Chicago Park District for 25 years.

In 1985, he married Priscilla (Campbell) Brown . They had a daughter, Carrie Brown, who currently resides in Grand Rapids, Michigan. After Priscilla died in 2013, he moved to Michigan, where he married Judith Transue.

In retirement, Nelson served as co-chair of the Lansing Area Peace Education Center (PEC) and chaired the Militarism and Democracy Committees. Members of the PEC will miss his passion for justice and his devotion to educating the public about critical issues. Nelson was also Vice Chair of the Ionia Democratic Party and worked diligently for the local Party.

In his last years, he greatly enjoyed life with Judith and their large family of rescue animals. Together, they traveled to many countries and enjoyed winters in their second home in St. John, Virgin Islands. Nelson was read extensively and discussed political issues with an extensive network of friends and colleagues on a daily basis.