Richard Lawrence Brown

Richard Lawrence Brown passed away on August 15th, 2024, in Orange Park, FL. He was born September 9th, 1964, in Salem, NJ as the eldest child of Herbert Franklin Brown, Jr. and Bonnie Elizabeth Bacon. Born into a Navy family, Richard was able to see much of the world at a young age, as they were stationed in Florida, Texas, Colorado, Virginia, and the Philippines. Eventually, his family took up permanent roots in Orange Park, where he lived much of his adult life as well.

He graduated from Orange Park High School in 1982, where he played French horn and mellophone in the marching band. He then went on to attend Auburn University, studying science and Spanish and serving as an active member of his fraternity, before ultimately graduating with a Bachelor’s degree from the University of the State of New York in 1996. He later continued his education at the University of Florida, earning a Master’s degree in Marine Science in 2014.

His early adulthood included his marriage in 1987 and new fatherhood, and he explored a number of vocations including accounting, management, and as a Juvenile Justice officer, before finding his passion as a teacher in 2004. He began his teaching career at Lakeshore Middle School in Jacksonville, FL as a science teacher. During his tenure at Lakeshore, he was the head coach for girls’ soccer, track, and softball, and he also mentored aspiring student teachers from the University of North Florida. In 2013, an opportunity presented itself to move to a new magnet school in Palatka, QI Roberts Junior/Senior High School. Richard accepted the position and spent the next 10 years teaching earth and environmental sciences, as well as his favorite subject, marine biology. He also started the Interact Club at QI Roberts, which focuses on service to others, the school, and the community; the club was recognized as the largest contributor to the Putnam County Rotary Club, who provided scholarships to Putnam County students through fundraisers that he helped organize.

He was of the Protestant faith, most recently Methodist. As an active member of the church, Richard taught Sunday school, helped with youth activities, and sang in the choir. Outside of the church, he was involved in his community by becoming a Scout Leader for a local Boy Scout troop for several years.

When not teaching, Richard enjoyed traveling and spending time with his family. He especially loved being able to combine the two and enjoyed family trips throughout the United States and abroad, including Scotland, England, Iceland, Canada, Norway, Sweden, and Colombia. He found great enjoyment in music, beginning with piano lessons at the age of six and continuing throughout adulthood, whether working or resting, he spent countless hours listening to and playing music. His love for learning resulted in a wide variety of interests, including camping, gardening, cooking, crafting, kayaking, sailing, photography, reading, playing video games, and researching genealogy. He pursued knowledge in all aspects of life, especially marine studies and sea turtles.

He will be remembered as an incredible father, brother, uncle, educator, and friend, owing to his kindness, generosity, determination, understanding, and resilience. He strived to improve the lives of everyone he met; he will be loved and missed by all who knew him.

Richard was preceded in death by his parents, Herbert F Brown, Jr. and Bonnie E Brown (née Bacon). He is survived by his children: Lyndsey N Oliver (husband, Lee Ritchie) and Nathan R Brown; siblings: Martha E Brown, Christopher B Brown (wife, Catherine), Herbert F Brown III (wife, Angela), Jonathan D Brown (wife, Donata); and nieces and nephews: Benjamin, Parker, David, Michael, Hannah, Allison, Cristian, Madelyn, Andrew, Malorie, and Miranda.

A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, September 21st, 2024, at 11:00am at Fleming Island United Methodist Church 7170 US-17, Fleming Island, FL 32003.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the link below for the Richard Brown Memorial Scholarship, created to advance opportunities for QI Roberts graduating students pursuing a career in a science-related field.

https://putnamschools.revtrak.net/QIRJSHS/#/v/Ric-Brown-Science-Scholarship