James Allen Brown Sr. departed this life on Tuesday, March 3, 2020. Born February 27, 1939, he was affectionately known as “Sonny” by family and friends. He was the eldest of seven children born to Asa A.C. and Lillian (Jones) Brown of Boley, Oklahoma. His parents moved from the Southwest to settle in Akron, Ohio where Sonny was born and where he and his siblings spent their formative years. Sonny was a graduate of Akron-Garfield Senior High School and was an avid baseball player. He continued his love of the sport playing in amateur leagues as an adult, with his wife and family in tow to cheer at the games. Our father (and husband) also loved football and encouraged both of his sons’ participation in football and high school baseball, and his youngest daughter, Keasha in fast-pitch softball. Nevertheless, he is most fondly remembered for his beautiful and anointed singing voice. It was not at all uncommon for him to rise early in the morning and you would hear his melodious singing which would rise upstairs like a warm and loving alarm clock to wake us up. It is difficult to fully capture the greatness of our loved one,  but all who knew him would describe him as a dignified, respectful, and quiet man. You saw  by example and deed how much James Allen Brown Sr. loved his wife and adored his family.

Sonny met his wife, Johnnie Elaine Fann when they were only teenagers. He was singing with her brother, Leroy Fann, as a member of the singing group called “The Embers”. There was an immediate attraction that subsequently lasted in marriage between them for 62 years. They were inseparable childhood sweethearts, as he would recount to Elaine how he would watch her at the swimming pool and she would watch him perform with his singing group, giving the side-eye to female fans who would swoon over her handsome Sonny’s voice.  Being a family provider was of the utmost importance to Sonny. He worked for both Chrysler and Babcock & Wilcox Company in Barberton for many years. He and Elaine had six children. The eldest was their son, James (Jimmy) Allen Brown Jr., who preceded his father in death this past January. The next eldest child is daughter, Donna Savage (husband, Brenton) of Columbus, Ohio; Lisa Brown of Columbus, OH; Veronica Sims (husband, Quintin) Akron, OH; his youngest son, Darrin Brown of Akron, OH and youngest child, Keasha Brown of Columbia, MD.

Sonny Brown was a very intelligent man and supported his children’s pursuit of higher education and careers. It was not uncommon for them to ask him to proofread papers, providing editorial insight. He would engage them in critical thinking about what they were learning in school that would come into conflict with their faith or values, advising them to “learn the meat and throw away the bones.” He helped instill confidence in his children to succeed or, at the very least, try their best. This is a blessing he also passed on to his grandchildren.

Sonny always encouraged his family’s attendance at church and eventually would join them when, as an adult , he gave his life to Christ. He was baptized at Arlington Church of God, where the family remains members to this day. He was attentive to speak words of blessings over you as you departed his home for your next destination saying, “Take your time and be careful.”

Sonny left this world in peace surrounded by family in his own home on Lake Street where they had resided for over 50 years.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Dennis, David and   Timothy and his sisters, Virginia and Kaye.

He is survived by his wife, Elaine, and their children; his sibling, Beverly Reed of Dallas, Texas, as well as a host of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends.