Edward Brown, Jr.

Edward “Skip” Brown Jr. was born in Glen Ridge, New Jersey on March 8th, 1945, to Edward and Frances Brown. He and his brothers John and Pat grew up in an Air Force family, moving all over the country. He graduated from Johnson High School in 1963, on Johnson Air Force Base near Tokyo, Japan. Skip attended the University of Kansas after returning to the states, leaving to enlist in the Air Force in 1966 where he served for two years.

After the service, Skip was able to finish school in California at UC Riverside. He was working as an athletic trainer at San Bernardino Valley College around the time he met his future wife, Barbara, marrying in 1980. They went on to purchase land in Yucaipa and with the expertise and help of several friends, Skip and Barbara built their dream home themselves. He was also able to complete his education, receiving his master’s degree at Claremont College.

Skip was a teacher and athletic trainer at Redlands High School for nearly 30 years. Athletic training took him places and he was able to participate in many global events, most notably the Goodwill Games in Moscow in 1986 and Seattle in 1990, as well as the Summer Olympics in 1984 in Los Angeles and in Barcelona in 1992, all as an athletic trainer for the US Track and Field Team. He was also the trainer for the California Emperors Soccer Club, based in Redlands in 1990. In addition to his career in teaching and working with athletes, he was also a volunteer Deputy Sheriff and member of the San Gorgonio Search and Rescue Team.

After retiring, Skip and Barbara took several trips to Europe with friends and family, especially enjoying cruises. He particularly loved visiting Italy, returning several times. In recent years Skip was working on the San Bernardino County Civil Grand Jury, which he really enjoyed.

Skip passed away on January 18, 2026. He is survived by his wife of 46 years, Barbara, his brothers John (Glenna) and Pat (Cheryl), his daughters Allison Locklin (Tim) and Carlye Fry (Adam), and grandchildren Alexis, Connor, Brady, and Gunnar. He is preceded in death by his grandson Jeremy.

Skip filled every room he was in. He loved his family and gathering with them for any occasion. He always had a silly joke ready and was a rock for the people in his life. He will be missed.