Malcolm William Brown

Malcolm “Mal” Brown, a devoted husband, proud father, and lifelong educator, passed away peacefully in his home on April 19, 2025, leaving behind a legacy of love, leadership, and service.

Mal was born in 1948 in Oakland, California, to Margaret Rhodes Brown and Malcolm Edgerton Brown, and was a loving brother to Janet Rachel Brown and Patty Brown Lamprinakos. He was preceded in death by his parents and by his beloved children, Stacia Margaret and Zachary Malcolm.

In 1980, Mal married the love of his life, Lee Newman Brown. Together, they built a life full of love, laughter, and deep devotion to one another. Their joy grew with the birth of triplets—Lindsey Jane, Stacia Margaret, and Zachary Malcolm. Though Stacia and Zachary passed away ten days after birth, their memory lived in Mal’s heart always. His greatest pride and joy was his surviving daughter, Lindsey, who brought him immeasurable happiness. Mal beamed with pride at her accomplishments as a professional dancer and Director of Dance at Parkview High School in Atlanta. He welcomed her husband, Michael Patrick Meyer, into the family with open arms. Mal is also survived by many other cherished family members.

Mal’s warmth, sense of humor, and steadfast love for his family were at the heart of everything he did. His life was also marked by extraordinary dedication to education and athletics. Mal graduated from Shelby High School in 1966, where he lettered in golf and basketball and set both the single-season and career scoring records in basketball during the 1965–66 season, serving as tri-captain his senior year. He went on to attend Western Carolina University on a basketball scholarship, becoming a four-year letterman and co-captain of the 1969–70 Catamounts. After earning his degree in 1970, he began his career in education, coaching basketball at Carmel Junior High in Charlotte while also playing AAU ball for Clark Insurance Agency. He returned to WCU in 1972 as an assistant coach and earned his M.A. in 1973.

Mal’s calling as an educator led him to serve as assistant principal in Waynesville, NC, and principal at Pisgah High School (1975–1980), where he also completed his Ed.S. at WCU. He later led Richmond Senior High (1981), T.C. Roberson High (1982–1988), and served briefly as Director of Personnel for Buncombe County Schools before returning to school leadership at Erwin High School (1989–2003), where he remained until retirement. He was a trailblazer, becoming the first high school principal selected for the NC Leadership Institute for Principals in 1980, and later served as president of the NC Association of School Administrators from 1996–97.

Throughout his career, Mal was honored multiple times as Principal of the Year, and every school he led dedicated a yearbook to him, a reflection of the deep respect and affection he earned from students and staff alike. His guiding principle was simple: always do what’s best for the students, and do it his way.

Mal’s legacy lives on in the countless lives he touched through his wisdom, leadership, and love.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to any of the high schools Mal served. Contributions may be used at the discretion of the current principal, in support of the students he so deeply cared for.

A Celebration of Life will be held on June 14th from 2–4 PM at the Laurel Room of Chestnut Mountain Golf Club in Mills River, NC (formerly High Vista Country Club)