Carl Martin Brown- a teacher to hundreds, a mentor to many, and a friend to all- died to this life on Thursday May 13th, 2021.
Born September 8, 1927 in Portland, Indiana to Mable Hickman Brown and Ralph Ernest Brown. He earned degrees from Redkey H.S., Ball State University, with advanced degrees from Butler University.
He proudly served his country in WWII with the Army, and the Korean War with the Air Force stationed in Okinawa, Japan.
Beginning in 1952, he joined Indiana Bell Telephone, Ameritec, A.T.&T. He moved up through a number of project engineering and management positions before retiring in 1989. He was a former member of Telephone Pioneers, Theta Chi Fraternity, Immanuel United Church of Christ, Covenant Church, Elks, and the American Legion.
Upon retirement he taught at Ivy Tech, volunteered for Lafayette Legal Services, H&R Block, Tippecanoe Historical Society, Jay County Historical Society and Boy Scouts of America. Carl was wise beyond his education, and people of all ages and stations in life sought his advice and benefited from his counsel. Carl is remembered for his unfailing work ethic, his generous smile, his willingness to come at any time, day or night, to help a friend in need and then try to reassure them he was already awake and it was no problem.
In 1954 he married Jackie Clapper in Danberry, CT. They were happily married for 67 years.
He is survived by his children, Julie Leonard and Jack Brown (wife Jeannine); grandchildren, Dylan Leonard (wife Beth ), Colin Leonard (wife Lindsey), Drew Brown and Faith Brown; and great-grandchildren Mia Leonard, Mylee Leonard, Mak Leonard, and Emerson Leonard. Cousin Rex Brown, Niece Kelley Clapper Randolph (husband Chris), Nephews Marc Clapper (wife Brenda) and Jeff Clapper.
He enjoyed traveling to new places, spending time at his home on Lake Freeman while fishing off the dock with his great-grandkids, attending estate auctions to discover lost gems, getting his hands dirty restoring antique cars with his grandsons, golfing, genealogy, come rain or shine he attended his grandsons Harrison High School basketball and football games, getting wrapped up in the game day excitement as his grandson played for the Clemson Football team, sitting cart side at Jr. PGA matches, cheering on his great-granddaughters at Boiler Jr Volleyball tournaments, collecting Indiana artists, and attending Indianapolis Museum of Art exhibitions where daughter Julie is a docent. Carl was happiest when he was amongst his loved ones. He found his heaven on Earth among his family.
Private family services will be held. In lieu of flowers, request memorials to be made to charity of choice.
Share memories and condolences online at www.clapperfuneralservices.com.
