Henry James Brown, Jr. was born May 30, 1932, in his grandparents’ house in Port Arthur, Texas. He was the second child born to the union of Henry and Verva Brown. Henry began his formal education in Port Artur public schools. He accepted Christ at a young age and was baptized at Old Shepherd Baptist Church. His parents split up when he was young, making him the only man in the house. He loved helping his grandmother. So when he was 8 years old he got his first job, washing dishes at a diner/store. He stood on a wood box to reach the sink. He told the store owner he was 12 years old. He would give all of his money to his grandmother. After a few weeks, the store owner was told his real age and said he had to let him go. Henry cried when he told his grandmother. She told him it would be alright.
When Henry was 12 years old, his mother moved to Oakland, CA for work. Once she established herself, she came and got her 2 children. Henry felt bad leaving his grandmother, but he wanted to be with his mother. Henry’s father and stepmother moved to Oakland soon after. For a couple of years, Henry would go with his father to his VFW drum and bugle crop practices. One week before a competition in Los Angeles, CA, one of the veterans died. One of the vet’s said, let Henry Jr. take his place, he could play the drum. He knew the part because he was always present. The following week, 13-year-old Henry was the only child to march with a VFW drum and bugle corps. He marched beside his dad and other veterans in the parade in Los Angeles, and they won 1st place.
He finished his formal education with Oakland public schools. Graduating from Oakland Tech High School. He joined the navy with a group of friends from high school.
Some of the ships Henry was stationed on were the USS Princeton, USS Finch, USS Oklahoma, and the USS Midway; he worked as an engineman. His initial 3yrs in, Henry became a boxer. In 3 years of boxing, he only lost 1 fight. He also played on the navy football team. After six years in the navy, while stationed in San Diego, CA, Henry met and married Lillian Johnson of Birmingham, AL. He took her back to his family in Oakland. Six of the Brown children were born in Oaknoll Naval hospital. Then Henry got stationed in Guam for 2years. Thats where the youngest son was born. Once back in the states he was stationed in San Diego.
They joined St. Stephen’s Church Of God and Christ, where they were members for over 40 years. He went on to become an HVAC Technician before retiring in 1972 after 21 years of service. Henry attended San Diego City College and received an Associate degree in Criminal Justice while working at Kettenberg Marine shipyard. He later worked at Scripps Oceanography Institute as an HVAC technician. When he retired from Scripps he traveled and enjoyed transporting his grandchildren and great-grandchildren to and from school.
Henry’s real love was fast cars. He was a master mechanic and enjoyed working on cars. As a young man, he often rebuilds cars. He and some of his navy buddies would rebuild engines. They often went to the Carlsbad Drag Strip to compete. Henry loved to dance, he loved track meets, and mostly his family and friends.
Henry went to be with the Lord on April 8, 2021, with his wife of 64 years holding his hand as he slept.
He is preceded in death by his parents, his sister, and two sons, Troy and Henry III.
He leaves to cherish his memory his wife, Lillian Brown,
Children Kim Ceniceros of Escondido, CA, Kenny Brown of Oakland, Valerie Brown of San Diego, CA, Vanessa Espinal (Miguel) of Fontana, CA and Tracy Brown (Shay) of Tracy CA
Grandchildren - Pablo Ceniceros (Anna), Krishawna Obele bele (Rold),
Tracy Brown II, Samantha and Andra Espinal, Lakiya Brown, Rashawnda Jimenez(Mike). Taiyana Brown, Lauren Dupree, Mahogany Brown, Tyler Brown and Lakia Brown.
Great-grandchildren – Lia, Aaron, Maurice, Warren, Sofia, Zachary, Elijah, and Ziva.
And a host of nieces, nephews, cousins in San Diego, Oakland, and Texas.
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