Len Brown

Len Brown passed away on August 11, 2026, at the age of 84. Born in Brooklyn, New York, Len embarked on a remarkable professional journey shortly after high school when he joined the Product Development Department of Topps Chewing Gum. Over a four-decade tenure, he ascended to become the company’s Creative Director.

During his time at Topps, Len co-created the acclaimed T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agents comic book series, for which he won two Alley Awards (Best Giant Comic, Best New Strip or Book) in 1965, and produced legendary trading card lines, including baseball, Garbage Pail Kids, Wacky Packages, Desert Storm, Civil War News, and Mars Attacks, the latter of which was adapted into director Tim Burton’s feature film, Mars Attacks!.

As an author, his published bibliography includes the following that he co-wrote with Gary Friedrich: Encyclopedia of Rock 'n Roll, So You Think You Know Rock & Roll, and Encyclopedia of Country and Western Music. With Woody Gelman, he co-wrote The Great Old Bubble Gum Cards and Some Cigarette Cards, and Marvel Comics Postcard Book. He also authored Great Old Bubblegum Cards Outlet.

In addition to his creative achievements at Topps, Len shared his lifelong love for music by programming several classic country-western radio shows in New Jersey on stations WTTM, WNJN, and WDVR. In 2000, he and his beloved wife, Abby, retired to Austin, Texas, where he continued to engage his passion as the host of the classic country-western radio show Country Roots on 91.7 FM KOOP.

Len is survived by his wife, Abby; his children, Jon and Valarie; his step-sons, Todd, Eric, and Harris Demel; and his step-grandsons, Taylor and Jared Demel.

Family and friends are invited to attend a Celebration of Life service on September 12, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. at the Weed-Corley-Fish Funeral Home, located at 411 RR 620 South, Lakeway, TX.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to alz.org/donate or https://www.dementiasociety.org/more-ways-to-donate.