Damon, affectionally known as “Ronnie,” was the second of six children born to the late Damon R. Brown, Sr. and the late Wendelle LaRue Brown on January 13, 1942.
He attended Navesink Elementary School and graduated from Middletown Township High School (MTHS) North in 1959. As an 11-year-old six grader, Ronnie was an avid marble player and was named the Monmouth County Marbles Champion, which was well documented in the local newspaper, “The Daily Record.”
After graduating from Middletown Township High School, Ronnie spent a year at Trenton State College, now known as The College of New Jersey.
Ronnie was well known for his incredible work ethic and had an extensive work history. Early on he was employed by the RCA Company in Thule, Greenland (within the Kingdom of Denmark) at the Thule Air Force Base for twenty-seven months on a guidance system called BMEWS (Ballistic Missile Early Warning System). This was in the 1960’s during the height of the Cold War between the United States and the Soviet Union. After his time in Greenland, Ronnie returned to the United States, where he worked for the Nabisco and Sunshine corporations. His commitment and dedication to his profession afforded him the opportunity to rise to the position of supervisor during his forty-year combined career. Ronnie’s nieces, nephews and neighbors were beneficiaries of his generosity as he always had baked goods and pastries to share with them from Nabisco and Sunshine.
Ronnie’s last work history was being employed by the Long Branch Public School System as a paraprofessional and bus driver for ten years. He loved being a positive influence on many young minds in the district, and he was well respected and fondly remembered as “Mr. Brown.” The moment he remembers most during his time at LBPS, was the first memorial ceremony after the tragedy of September 11, 2001.
Upon his retirement, Ronnie was recognized by the New Jersey Senate and General Assembly with a joint resolution sponsored by Senator Kean, Assemblyman Rible and Assemblywoman Angelini on June 10, 2010. In addition to this prestigious recognition, Ronnie also received many other awards and acknowledgements for his service to the community.
Ronnie was raised from infancy in the church and his formal Christian experience was Quinn Chapel AME Church in Atlantic Highlands, NJ where he was a faithful tithing member. He was an active member of Bates Lodge, Red Bank, NJ for many years.
Ronnie was not only the anchor and patriarch of his large family; he was also very generous to all of them and genuinely concerned about their well-being.
Ronnie is predeceased by his two sons, Lewis Alston and Ronald Everett as well as his older brother Robert N. Brown, Sr.
Damon gained his heavenly wings on Wednesday, March 29, 2023, and he is left to mourn in his passing Ms. Alma Molina, his fiancé, Perth Amboy; sisters, Mrs. Barbara Bland and Ms. Gwendolyn Dickson of Long Branch, NJ; brothers, Min. Douglas Brown, Lincroft, and Mr. William Brown (Ophelia), Red Bank, NJ; he also leaves his ex-wife Constance McCrae, North Carolina and three goddaughters Mrs. Kellie LeDet (Cory), Ms. Shannon Pitts, and Mrs. Stacey Brickus along with many nieces, nephews, cousins, family and friends.
