Charles Denny Brown, age 93, passed away on Wednesday, November 7, 2018, at his home in Greensboro, North Carolina. Born on May 26, 1925, in Burgettstown, PA to Cleo Coppock Brown and Thomas Boyd Brown Sr., Charles was the second of five children. He was predeceased by his parents, as well as three brothers, James C. of Burgettstown, PA, Robert B. of Zanesville, OH and Davis S., Broadview Heights, OH and a sister, Barbara Castrodale, Westerville, OH.
After attending Hickory High School in Mt. Pleasant Township, PA, he entered Washington and Jefferson College in 1942, but his education was interrupted when he volunteered for the Air Corps during World War II. There he was assigned to the 459th Bomb Group, 15th Air Force, Cerignola, Italy and as a Liberator Bomber crew man, flew multiple missions over the Balkans, Austria and southern Germany. He was awarded the European Theatre medal with a silver battle star and Air Medal with oak leaf clusters.
Upon discharge from service, he graduated from Washington and Jefferson College and attended the University of Michigan Law School, which was also delayed for his service in the Korean War. On return from this duty, he completed his law degree at Wayne State University. Following admission to the New York State and federal bars, he practiced law in western New York for many years; primarily in the emerging field of product liability, trying law suits in Buffalo and five western New York counties. He was active with the Insurance Section of the New York State Bar Association and the Erie County Trial Lawyers Association. He was also elected and served as a member of the Eden Central School Board.
In 1972, he was certified to the register of Administrative Law Judge and thereafter, served with the U.S. Office of Hearings and Appeals, providing decisions under a variety of titles in the Social Security Act. In, 1993, he was placed in U.S. Senior Administrative Law Judge status and in 1997, he was appointed to a special cadre of judges within the department to deal with difficult Medicare B cases. He served continually at that function until he retired on June 1, 1999.
Charles married the love of his life, the late Jean Gallagher from Sheridan, PA in 1948. They were married sixty years, spending most of their married life in western New York and relocating to Greensboro, NC in 1975 to pursue his judicial career. He is survived by his five children, Susan Hyman West (husband Peter) of Philadelphia, PA, Charles Jr. (wife Terry) of Syracuse, NY, Barbara Buchner (husband James) of Pittsburgh, PA, Thomas (wife Kim) of Tega Cay, SC and Elizabeth Friday (husband David) of Tryon, NC. He is the much beloved grandfather of eleven grandchildren and seven great grandchildren. His love of painting oil portraits and landscapes was self-taught and in 2001, he authored a children's novel, A Slight Touch of Terror, for his grandchildren.
Interment will be at Forest Lawn Cemetery in Greensboro with a Celebration of Life Service to be held in the coming weeks. The family would like to thank his dedicated caregivers, Betty Barclift, Raymond Benton and Bobby Riddick, as well as the many friends and neighbors who supported him during his later years. He will forever be remembered for his gentle nature, keen intellect, quick wit and his unwavering love of family and friends.
Hanes Lineberry North Elm Chapel is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be shared at www.haneslineberryfuneralhomes.com.
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