Robert Brown

Robert Clay Brown, 83, of Concord, passed away Sunday, May 30, 2021 at his home in Concord.

Coach Bob Brown was born October 11, 1937 in Richmond, Virginia. He was preceded in death by his father Lester Edward Brown, mother Katherine Brown and brother, Richard Brown.

Bob grew up in the Hampton, Virginia area.  He was a percussionist in high school and loved music of all kinds from marching bands to concert choirs.  He played football and baseball, and was a pretty good pitcher.  He was a ball boy for  a Brooklyn Dodger farm club in the Chesapeake area.  Coach Brown was lifelong, diehard Dodger fan, often saying that his blood ran Dodger blue!

Coach Brown was raised in the Methodist Church and continued to live out his faith throughout his life. He enjoyed being a part of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.

Bob served in the United States Army as a lieutenant in the 54th Infantry, stationed at Fort Knox, Ky.  While in the service, he was the head football and baseball coach on the base.  Upon leaving the Army, he went to Hargrave Military Academy to coach.  Coach Brown’s first college job took him to William and Mary, then to Davidson College.  From there he joined Jim Carlen’s staff at West Virginia University, and moved with that staff to Texas Tech and then to the University of South Carolina.  While at South Carolina, he coached 1980 Heisman Trophy winner, George Rogers.  Coach Brown continued his coaching career at Marshall, Ohio University, and another stint at Davidson before going on to Ferrum College. He left coaching after 60 seasons on the field.  As he celebrated his career, Coach Brown said he hoped everyone could have a career like his because he had never really worked a day in his life.  Coach Brown loved the coaches around him and his players and felt honored to participate in their lives as a coach and mentor.

Bob passed on his love of music, sports, God and country to his children and grandchildren.  He loved to tell a great joke or two and was famous for having a great sense of humor.

The funeral service will be on Saturday, June 12th at 2 o'clock in the afternoon at Hartsell Funeral Homes of Harrisburg officiated by Rev. Don Burleyson.  Webcasting of the service will start at 1:45 pm at the following link: http://video.ibm.com/channel/drygeSYpxX7

Survivors include wife, Judy Brown; daughters, Sherry Carroll, Jennifer Carter; son Scott Brown (Brigett); grandsons, Christopher Carroll, Corey Brown, David Brown, Alex Brown, P.W. Carter, Pierce Carter, Paxton Carter; granddaughter Peylin Carter and furry son, Duke.

Memorials may be made to Tucker Hospice House, 5003 Hospice Lane, Kannapolis, NC 28081 OR The American Cancer Society, donate3@cancer.org

Hartsell Funeral Home of Harrisburg is serving the Brown family.