Medford L. Brown

Obituary

Early Life

Medford L. Brown, the eldest of five siblings, was born on August 12, 1926, to Harold Waldemar Brown and Ivy Lucinda Brown in Puerto Limon, Costa Rica. In 1942 because of the declining economy in Costa Rica from WWII, the family moved to Panama where his parents found employment in the Panama Canal Zone.

It was at the Cabo Verde Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) Church where he found two loves of his life, Isabela Lenora Ward, and the Pathfinder Club. Defying socioeconomic and educational limitations of Panama, the young married couple migrated to Houston, Texas in 1955; obtained their education, and began their careers.

Medford L. Brown attended Texas Southern University (TSU) where he obtained a degree in Biology/General Science and became a member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., in 1962. He received a Teaching Certificate from Kansas State Teachers College and became a high school science teacher from 1962-1966 in Houston, TX. He excelled academically and received a National Science Foundation Fellowship from 1965-1967. The first of five positions as an Adventist School Principal was in 1967 at Lexington Avenue SDA school in St. Louis, Missouri. He received numerous Outstanding School Principal awards throughout his career. In 1971, he was awarded a Master of Administration and Supervision Degree from the University of Missouri, St. Louis. To help cover costs of his graduate education and growing family, he went to a vocational school for Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) training and worked part-time as an LPN. He also taught Spanish as a second language in evening Adult Education Programs for additional income.

Legacy

A classical tenor, Medford L. Brown sang in church choirs, quartets, and often sang solos in Christmas and Easter services. Through his work as a church school principal, Medford L. Brown showed that he was a champion of youth and Adventist education. For many years, he served as a Pathfinder Director for clubs in Houston, St Louis, Savannah, Miami, and New York. He made it his mission to encourage youth to make wise decisions and to continue their education. He led multiple Missionary Volunteer Societies. He organized socials, skating outings, camping trips, plays and oratorical contests; all to keep the youth connected to their community and Christ. As an adult, he received numerous calls from those he taught thanking him for modeling leadership and manhood and for being a positive influence in their lives. He often heard that if it were not for his counsel they would not be positive contributing members of their community. If possible, he was present at every graduation and wedding he received an invitation to attend. As the son of an elder, he followed in his father’s footsteps and served as an elder in each church he became a member. He supported church attendance by providing transportation for others who needed a ride on Sabbath, Wednesday Night Prayer Meeting, and other church activities.

Medford L. Brown retired in 1997 as a principal, but not from making a positive difference in the world. He was tireless. He regularly left his home early and returned late spending much of his free time visiting the sick, delivering food to those in need, distributing evangelistic literature in the community, raising funds to support Adventist education, attending religious conferences, training workshops and supporting the business operations of Central Islip SDA Church.

His affiliations included SDA Jail Ministries, Urban League of Central Islip, N.A.A.C.P in Amityville, Ministerial Alliance of North Amityville, and the North Amityville Community Economic Council. Within the last two years, he went on mission trips as a missionary evangelist to plant SDA churches in South Africa and the Philippines.

On September 8, 2017, Medford L. Brown suffered a cerebral hemorrhage and stroke. Initially bedridden, unable to walk, process language or care for himself, his recovery was remarkable. He returned home in October 2017 from Gurwin Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, and within weeks he was able to do light household chores and yardwork! He resumed opening the Sabbath with a small group of friends in his home and led in singing, scripture reading and, summarizing the week’s Sabbath School Lesson. Always wanting to keep busy, he looked forward to returning to work in January to teach Spanish at Bethesda Junior Academy. An avid reader, his home contained enough books to open a library. His favorite book, of course, was the Bible. Bibles could be found in each room of his home, and he never went to sleep without one in his bed.

Death

A pillar of Adventist education, Pathfinder for life, and lifetime elder, Medford L. Brown tranitioned peacefully, December 21, 2017. A significant figure in the Adventist community for a half-century, he was 91 years old. He was preceded in death by his loving wife, Isabela L. Brown (2002) and daughter LaTanya Barrera (Juan)(2006). In loving memory, he leaves his children, Marcia Hampton, Ricardo Brown (Kelly), Cecil Brown (Anita), and Veronica Chollette; grandchildren, Percy Hampton (Dayna), Cenita Baham (Justin), Leah Simpson (Calvin), Ervin Brown, Orel Chollette, Danielle Chollette, Juan Barrera and Natalia Barrera; great-grandchildren, Alia Hampton, Amani Hampton, and Clarke Baham; siblings, Lubert Brown, Vilma Brown, Minna Warren, Austin Brown and Harry Brown; sister-in-law, Blanca Brown; and many other extended family members and friends.

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