Don Brown was born into a musical family in 1930. Both parents, Gilbert Charles “Bus” and Hermione Virginia Brown, were musically inclined. Like Don all four brothers: Dick, Tom, Jim, and Ted became musicians. After graduating from Central High School, Don attended Jordan Music College where he lettered in basketball. After college, Don followed his dream of being a road jazz musician during the 1950’s. He played with many of the greats until he was drafted into the Army during the Korean War. There, he served stateside in the Army Band and received a Sharp-Shooter Medal. In 1959, he married Jean Crowell, and it wasn’t too long before he was the father of four children: Vicki Miller (deceased), Holli Roberts (Ron), David Brown and Ronald Brown (Julie).

During his professional career, Don was a Data Processing Programmer at Parkview Memorial Hospital in Fort Wayne, IN. He continued to play his music locally and tutor music students in his home. After his retirement from Parkview Don and Jean became Florida snowbirds, while still enjoying summers at Lake Tippecanoe.

Don is survived by his youngest brother, Ted; three children; ten grandchildren; nineteen great-grandchildren; and a plethora of beautiful, talented nieces and nephews.

Memorial Services will held 2:00pm Saturday, November 12, 2022 at FairHaven Funeral Home, 6557 N. Clinton St., Fort Wayne, IN 46825. The family will receive friends for a Time of Visitation from 11:00am until the time of service.

Memorials for Don may be sent to the Charlotte County Jazz Society. Please make check payable to: CCJS, P.O. Box 495321, Port Charlotte, FL 33949.