Henry Lee Brown

Henry Lee Brown died from a long and courageous battle with lupus on Tuesday, July 5, 2022, at the age of 83.

Mr. Brown was born on April 29, 1939, in Chickasha, Oklahoma to his parents, Elnora and Louis Brown. He graduated from Chickasha High School in 1957 where he was a member of the second class to desegregate the school. At Chickasha High, he earned varsity letters in basketball and football.

Henry served in the U.S. Navy from 1957 to 1967 in the military police and naval construction battalion (Seabee). He completed tours of duty in North Africa; Okinawa, Japan; Naples, Italy; Vietnam; Gulfport, Mississippi and Port Hueneme, California, to name a few. During his service, Henry received two Good Conduct Medals for his performance and leadership.

Mr. Brown was an officer in the California Highway Patrol (CHP) from 1967 – 1980 where he served in the Southern Division (Glendale, CA); Golden Gate Division (Vallejo and Fairfield, CA) and Valley Division (South Sacramento, CA). During his course of service, he received several medals and commendations as a patrol and safety traffic officer. Due to his illness, Henry retired from the CHP and pursued a bachelor’s in accounting from National University after which he worked as an auditor for the Sacramento Army Depot.

In additional to spending time with his family, Henry loved barbequing, watering his beloved rosebushes, feeding hummingbirds, and chasing away cats from the backyard. Additionally, he was a loyal supporter of the Valley High School Vikings and University of California Golden Bears for which he amassed an extensive collection of hats and sweatshirts that he wore proudly. Henry had many talents including drawing, writing poetry, and telling captivating stories. He had a playful personality, curious mind and compassion for others.

Henry was preceded in death by his parents, six brothers (Dock C Brown, Joe Reto Brown, Homer D Brown, Jesse Brown, Limon Brown and Johnny Fred Brown) and two sisters (Mae Helen Preston? And Dollie Betty Richie). He is survived by his childhood sweetheart and wife of 61 years, Versie Lee Brown; daughter, Candia L. Brown, granddaughter, Liane S. Brown; two sisters, Willie Ester Alexander and Amanda Lee (Jackie) Brown, and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends whom he loved dearly.