Gary Alton Brown

Gary Alton Brown, 68, went to be with the Lord, Monday, January 22, 2018. He passed peacefully with family by his side at the Veterans Affairs Medical Facility in Battle Creek, Michigan.

Gary was born April 30, 1949 in Battle Creek, Michigan, the son of Berta and Furman Brown. Gary is a veteran of the Vietnam War. After serving in the Marines during Vietnam, Gary came back to Battle Creek to raise his family. He worked at Michigan paperboard for 38 years and retired in 2008 after being diagnosed with dementia.

Gary is survived by his wife of 18 years, Barbara Brown; three sons, Gary Jr. (Robin) Brown, Brian Brown, Brent (Stephanie) Brown; a daughter, Traci (Eric) Gibson; ten grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; two stepchildren, Christopher (Michelle) Ostrander, Marci (Kevin) Spier; five step-grandchildren; his brother, Jim Brown; his sister, Nancy (Jerry) Nye; and many close friends and family. Gary was preceded in death by his mother and father, Berta and Furman Brown; his good friend and brother-in-law, Jim Higgins; his wife, Patsy Brown; and his stepdaughter, Amanda Ostrander.

Gary loved his family and friends, and would spend as much time with them as he could. He was an avid golfer and a long-time member at Oakland Hills. He loved going out to eat with his family and friends.

Friends will be received 5:00-7:00 p.m. Friday at Farley Estes Dowdle Funeral Home & Cremation Care, where services to celebrate Gary's life will be held 10:00 a.m. Saturday, February 3, 2018. Military honors by the U. S. Marine Honor Guard and interment will follow at Memorial Park Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer's Association, 2111 University Park Drive, Suite 200, Okemos, MI 48864, Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund, 825 College Blvd, Suite 102 PMB 609 Oceanside, CA 92057, Disabled American Veterans Charitable Service Trust, 477 Michigan Ave. Room 1220, VARO McNamara Fed Bldg., Detroit, MI 48226; or the Amanda fund through the Battle Creek Community Foundation, 32 W. Michigan Ave. Battle Creek, MI 49017. Personal messages for the family can be placed here at www.farleyestesdowdle.com.