Danny Brown

Danny was born in Keokuk, Iowa, on January 1, to Bart B. Brown Sr. and Marjorie Meister Brown Inman, the youngest of four boys.

At a junior high dance, Danny laid eyes on Susie Breitenbucher, and a love story began that would become the essential melody of his life. They dated through their school years and married in 1973. Danny graduated from the University of Missouri’s School of Journalism and started his radio career in the Midwest. Danny and Susie sustained a partnership centered around admiration and care for each other and their three children.

In 1978, Danny and Susie headed south to Chattanooga, the city that would become home. On August 19 of that year, the “Wings of Rock and Roll,” WSKZ, hit the airwaves, beginning a new chapter in Danny’s long career in radio and his lasting relationship with the Chattanooga community.

Danny spent more than 40 years in the radio business, finishing his career at the Chattanooga stations that brought him to Tennessee as General Manager of Citadel Broadcasting. During his years in Chattanooga, he led four radio stations to ratings highs and lent his time, energy and leadership to numerous community organizations. He served on and chaired several boards, including the Tennessee Association of Broadcasters, Better Business Bureau of Greater Chattanooga, Hamilton County Fund for Excellence, Hixson Chamber of Commerce, Chattanooga Chamber of Commerce and the Chattanooga Ad Federation.

Danny understood competition. He built a career in a competitive business, but one of his greatest gifts was that someone else’s success never diminished his own. He genuinely delighted in seeing other people win. He was quick to encourage, quick to congratulate and always ready to cheer a little louder for someone he believed in.

He rooted for his colleagues and friends. He rooted for the Missouri Tigers and the Tennessee Vols. But most of all, he rooted for his family. Their accomplishments became his celebrations, their big moments became his proudest stories, and there was rarely an occasion too small to deserve a little fanfare or a table full of good desserts.

Perhaps that is why radio suited him so well. Danny understood that life was better with a soundtrack and that the best moments deserved to be turned up loud.

He loved music, laughter, a good story and a perfect sugar cookie. He had a way of making ordinary days feel like occasions and making the people around him feel as though their lives were worth celebrating.

Even as dementia slowly quieted parts of the man his family and friends had always known, the love surrounding him never grew quiet. His family, friends and caregivers continued to meet him where he was, carrying the memories, telling the stories and keeping the music playing. Danny faced his disease head-on and chose to see his life as a gift, especially the time he had remaining with Susie.

Danny was preceded in death by his beloved Susie, his wife of 52 years; his parents; and his brother, Jack Brown.

Danny is survived by his children, Gina, Tony (Amber) and Tim (Liza); his grandchildren, Breiten, Sullivan, Evan and Landry; his brothers, Bart “Bud” (Cherie) and Ed (Kathy) Brown; sister-in-law, Ruthie Brown; and brother-in-law, Joe (Karen) Breitenbucher. He is also survived by numerous extended family members and incredible friends who loved him dearly and will continue to carry his stories and his song forward.

Danny’s family extends its deepest gratitude to the loving team at The Lantern at Morning Pointe at Collegedale, who cared for him with extraordinary compassion and dignity since 2021. The family also thanks the team at Hearth Hospice for the comfort and tenderness they provided during his final chapter.

In true Danny fashion, his life will not be remembered with silence. A celebration filled with music, stories, laughter and memories will be held at a later date.

So, for the man who spent a lifetime putting music on the airwaves, cheering from the sidelines and reminding the people he loved that their moments mattered, we leave the final words to one of his favorite songs, which says it best:

“God only knows what I’d be without you.”

- The Beach Boys

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you send your favorite Danny Brown memories, stories, jokes and, of course, songs to [email protected].

Arrangements are under the care of the North Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home, Crematory and Florist, 5401 Highway 153, Hixson. Please share your thoughts and memories at www.chattanooganorthchapel.com