Geraldine "Gerri" F. Brown

Born July 15, 1935, in Orcutt, Calif., (Santa Barbara County), she was the only child of the late Glenn E. and Evelyn (Brooks) Hughes. Gerri enjoyed growing up in the beauty of the “American Riviera” with the nearby Santa Ynez Mountains and Pacific Coast providing the backdrop to the small Orcutt community. She graduated from Santa Maria High School and was employed by the school district when her life changed in 1954 by meeting future husband, Keith Brown, a Fort Wayne Native and Marine stationed in Long Beach. They were married within months and spent 67 years together before Keith’s passing in 2021.

After Keith’s honorable discharge from the U.S. Marine Corps, the young couple and first son moved to Keith’s Fort Wayne hometown to pursue his automotive interests and raise a family. Gerri loved the Midwest and the solid values of the residents, neighbors and friends. Keith was employed as a Road-Test Engineering Mechanic for International Harvester and they became involved in the early days of the collector car hobby through the Auburn-Cord-Duesenberg Club and the Classic Car Club of America. Gerri was as immersed in the car hobby as Keith and their two sons, Bruce and Brian. From research and correspondence to cleaning and detailing, plus ownership of her own classic car, she was always with “her three guys” and their group of friends that were absorbed in the old cars and IndyCar Motorsports.

Gerri also loved working in her gardens and yard and was noted for the beautiful roses she tended to. Gerri was always a strong-willed, hardworking woman that wasn’t afraid to work on the restorations and preservation of the of the homes she and Keith shared over the years. The boys’ friends were always welcomed by Gerri and Keith, whether for a quick lunch or snack to bring by a car to check over before purchase. She was well-loved and respected for her many fine qualities. In the early days of the Auburn-Cord-Duesenberg Museum, Gerri volunteered to begin the process of establishing a proper library and archive for all to access. Her dedication earned her and her family lifetime memberships at the respected Art-Deco facility in Auburn, Indiana. Gerri was an avid reader with a vast library and enjoyed family genealogy for her family and that of friends.

Gerri is survived by sons Bruce and Brian; and Bruce’s wife, Lori; her grandsons, Colin (Nicole) and Derek (Shelbie); along with great-grandchildren, Roman and Aria plus Brunhilda, October, Orion, and Osirus; loving California relatives include cousins Arlene Nunes and Joanne Hopkins.

Gerri lived a rich, well-rounded life, full of love and caring that will be missed by all who knew her.

Funeral Service will be 11:00 am on Monday, August 31, 2026 at Greenlawn Funeral Home, 6750 Covington Road., with calling one hour prior. Pastor Jon Moody officiating. Burial at Greenlawn Memorial Park, Fort Wayne. Preferred memorials to Humane Fort Wayne www.humanfw.org. For online condolences, please visit www.greenlawnmpfh.com.