Dr. George Walter Brown, Jr., age 93, transitioned to eternal rest on Wednesday, October 23, 2024, at his home in Chesapeake. “Dr. Brown, or George, or Walt,” as he was affectionately known, was born on February 28, 1931, the 7th of 10 children born to the late Walter and Gussie Patrick Brown in the Gum Neck Community in Columbia (Tyrrell County), NC. After graduating from Tyrrell County Training High School in 1950 with the highest honors, he enrolled in St. Augustine’s College (now St. Augustine’s University) in Raleigh, NC. College was interrupted when he was drafted into the Army and served in Korea in 1953 in the newly established MASH hospital medical corps in the ambulance company.
Dr. Brown graduated from St. Augustine’s with a B.S. degree in Biology in 1956, later earning a master’s and PhD degrees from the University of Wisconsin in Madison in Bacteriology. Dr. Brown had a long career in scientific bacteria research and drug development for Ortho Pharmaceuticals in Raritan, NJ, and Proctor and Gamble in Cincinnati, OH.
While working at St. Agnes Hospital in Raleigh, he met his wife, Willie Mae Blanchard, a registered nurse. They were married in 1954 until her untimely death in 1989. They had two children: Rev. Karen Brown Montagno (Cincinnati) and Norris Brown (deceased). Dr. Brown was a phenomenal leader and educator. The last chapter of his career was spent teaching in the biology department at Kentucky State University, followed by dean of biology at Norfolk State University.
Dr. Brown loved the Lord and attended First Baptist Church on Bute Street in Norfolk, where he sang in the men’s choir. He was devoted to St. Augustine’s University. He was elected twice as the national alumni president and committed to alumni fundraising. He established scholarships at Norfolk State University and Mount Olive Baptist Church in Portsmouth. Dr. Brown was initiated into Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated at St. Augustine’s University in 1954, holding membership and offices in the cities where he lived with his final life-long membership in the Alpha Phi Lambda Chapter, Norfolk/Virginia Beach. He gave generously of his time to state and local boards, including the Chesapeake Bay Foundation and the Commonwealth of Virginia Pesticide Control Board. Dr. Brown looked forward to the CIAA and MEAC basketball tournaments, and university homecomings, and alumni celebrations.
Dr. Brown forged bonds of lasting friendships near and far, and he left an impression on all whom he met. He lived a full and amazing life to the end. Surviving Dr. Brown are daughter Rev. Karen Brown Montagno of Cincinnati; grandchildren: ‘Eli’ Serrano Elias Montagno of Dallas, TX; Kira Simone Montagno of Philadelphia; Solomon Joseph Montagno of Boston; sister-in-law Mrs. Vera Brown of Norfolk, and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
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Zollie W. Harris, Jr. says
October 29, 2024 at 4:21 pmWe were deeply saddened to learn of the passing of our dear friend and fraternity brother, Dr. George Brown. He was very special to us and a giant among men. We are so very thankful to God for giving us the opportunity to be associated with Brother Dr Brown for over 30 years. We want the family to know that we grieve with you; and we are holding you close at heart in thought and pray. Also, we are asking the Lord to bring comfort, peace, and strength for each need you face during this difficult time.
With Love and Deepest Sympathy,
Lt Col and Mrs. Zollie W. Harris, Jr. (USAF Retired)
Montgomery, Alabama
Chanta Bhan says
November 7, 2024 at 9:35 pmI am so sorry for your loss! Thank you for sharing your father’s life and photo with us! May God’s comfort be present with you.
Kisha Watford says
October 29, 2024 at 8:42 pmMy condolences to the family of fellow Augite Bro. George Brown. It was an honor to be in his company at our Hampton Roads St. Augustine’s University Alumni Meetings. May the memories God afforded you to make with him always be as close as your hearts.
Deepest Sympathy,
Kisha P. Watford, HR-SAU
Bennie L. Marshall Lundy says
October 30, 2024 at 3:57 pmIt is with deep sympathy that I offer my condolences to the family of Dr. George Brown. My God continue to bless and keep each of you. He made a difference in the lives of many.
J.e. says
October 30, 2024 at 6:41 pmCondolences to an amazing man Dr. G. Brown
J. Eley
Estherine J. Harding says
October 31, 2024 at 9:53 amDeepest sympathy and prayers to Dr. Brown’s family. May God bless and comfort you during this difficult time.
Dr. Brown was such an amazing individual /professor whom I met at Norfolk State University. He attended several of my scholarship fundraiser breakfasts in support of needy NSU students.
May he rest in peace from a life of outstanding service dedicated to God and mankind.
Estherine J. Harding, NSU Retiree; ‘ ’74 BS; ’89 MA
2016 Distinguished Alumna
Life Member, NSUAA – Chesapeake Chapter
Carmen Brown Neal says
October 31, 2024 at 6:59 pmCarmen Brown Neal.says October 30, 2024. 6:30pm. In the Name of the Lord, I send my sincerest sympathy to the family of Dr. George W. Brown. Jr. He was a very kind man who was dedicated in fulfilling God’s Plan in His life. I was his Administrative Assistant in the Bio Department at NSU for several years. He had a unique style of humor and I enjoyed working for him. I stayed in contact with Dr Brown and he shall be missed. May the Lord surround you Family with His comfort. Amen.
Shari Robinson says
October 31, 2024 at 9:13 pmAnd had the pleasure of helping him with his cell phone. We would talk for hours. It was an honor to be in his presence, he was an exceptionally kind and knowledgeable person who left a lasting impression on me and everyone that works with me , he will be dearly missed. My sincerest condolence to his family and know that you’re in my prayers.
Shari Robinson says
October 31, 2024 at 9:15 pmI had the pleasure of helping Dr Brown him with his cell phone. We would talk for hours. It was an honor to be in his presence, he was an exceptionally kind and knowledgeable person who left a lasting impression on me and everyone that works with me , he will be dearly missed. My sincerest condolence to his family and know that you’re in my prayers.
Selena Cox-Harris says
November 1, 2024 at 3:48 pmI have fond memories of Dr. Brown. I am saddened to hear of his passing. To the family, please accept my condolences and prayers during your time of grief. Dr. Brown was such an influential person in my life.
William T. Newkirk says
November 4, 2024 at 4:44 pmNo one was more committed to supporting Saint Augustine’s College/University through his finances and service than Dr. George Brown. George recruited and trained me to serve the National Alumni Association and my Alma Mater. He was very thorough in the work of the Association and in recruiting Life Members. He is and will always be one of the pillars of our National Alumni Association. THANK YOU, GEORGE!!🙏🏾
Thomas F. (Tommy) Robinson, MA, SAU C/O '98 C/ says
November 7, 2024 at 9:04 pmI had the honor of meeting, I affectionately referred to him as Uncle George, on phone call, over two decades ago. At this juncture in my life,God had blessed me to become the “VEEP” , the Durham Alumni chapter for SAU. He was was at the time nat’l alumni chapter president. He was reminiscent of my late old man, in terms of a gregarious personality/ he optimized the pathos, logos and ethos, known as “The Southern Gentleman.” In addition, Brown unapologetically expressed his faith in The Triune God, as well. I felt his delightful energy burst through the telephone, like was a proud papa, he was expressing how impressed he was about me blessing the national alumni chapter with a monetary donation. He was saying that I was going to be awarded a lifetime membership alumni chapter award at the next commencement exercises. He was just a big old teddy 🧸, in person. An pleasant disposition, in terms of enjoying life. He was the ultimate scientist. WE LOVE YOU MADLY, UNCLE GEORGE! 🦅🦅🦅🦅🦅🙏🏿🙏🏿🙏🏿🙏🏿🙏🏿🏫🏫🏫🏫🏫🥼🥼🥼🥼🥼🥼⚗️⚗️⚗️🧫🧫🧫🧪🧪🧪🌡️🌡️🌡️💉💉💉🩺🩺🩺🩺🩻🩻🩻🧬🧬🧬🔭🔭🔭🔬🔬🔬
The Truth says
February 25, 2025 at 12:33 amCondolences that this deadbeat wasn’t exposed during his life. I have the blood to prove that he allowed his own flesh and blood to suffer in poverty while he apparently donated to organizations in order to bolster a life built on his own ego. God may forgive but I do not.
TJM says
March 13, 2025 at 1:18 amIn reply to my own message (the so-called Truth), I cannot discount the wisdom and power of what was taught in verses such as Matthew 6:14-15, Luke 6:37, and Colossians 3:13.
Peace.
Rev. Dr. Caroel L. Selby & Dea. Jacqueline Selby. says
March 16, 2025 at 6:41 pmDear Brown Family. We just learned today while attending a worship experience in Powhatan, Virginia that we had loss our dear friend and mentor, Dr. George W. Brown, Jr. The pastor who proclaimed for the occasion presides at an adjoining Church in Norfolk, Virginia. We wish to express our delayed condolences and to let you know you are in our prayers. God Bless.
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