Leonard David Brown

Mr. Leonard D. Brown (L.D.) was born May 4, 1938 to Mr. James and Lucille Brown. He was the fifth of eight children. He grew up in Osceola County in the Marydia County area with loving Christian parents and among five brothers, known as the “Brown Boys” and two sisters. After graduating from Kissimmee High School, L.D. attended Florida A&M University and later joined the United States Navy, where he had the duty of a Medic in Pharmacy. He traveled extensively throughout the United States and overseas retiring rank E-7 as a Chief in 1977 after 20 years of active service. Leonard and his family, returning to Kissimmee in 1977, did not hesitate to become involved with issues to turn the helm of justice towards equality for the black communities in Osceola County. He became a member of Osceola County Planning Board, Chairman of the Osceola County Citizens Advisory Committee of the CDBG Program, Member of City of Kissimmee Police Department Minority Advisory Committee, and the NAACP Osceola County Branch. In 2016, L.D. was recognized and received the NAACP Lifetime Achievement Award for his hard work and dedication to the organization. As a four-term president of the branch, he advocated to remove all barriers of racial discrimination that impeded equal opportunities for citizens of color. L.D. was always active and involved in the community in which he loved. After graduating from Florida Southern College and earning a Bachelor of Science Degree in Accounting, L.D. was employed as an Internal Auditor of AmeriFirst Federal and Savings and Loans, Controller of Super Food Distributer Services, Inc., Corporate Accounts Payable Manager of Leisure Bay Industries, Inc. and a Senior Auditor at City of Orlando. Officially retiring in 2003, he continued to pursue a personal goal to be an Adjunct Instructor of Accounting, Economics and Business at Southern College Orlando, in addition to accomplish becoming a Certified Pharmacy Technician in which he tested and passed on the first try. Though finally hanging up his civilian working shoes, L.D. continued to serve as a faithful member of Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church and Chairman of the Trustee Board. L.D. was married to the love his life, the late Gloryreine Pearson for 55 years. From this union two children were born, Lamonte and Gloria and in later years (5) grandchildren. L.D. dedicated his life and gave unconditional love to his family. Most of those who knew him, knew he loved and cherished his grandchildren. He had a saying on his wall in his den that stated, “If I knew grandchildren were this much fun, I would have had them first." May the work I’ve done speak for me…… The Lord in his infinite wisdom deemed it timely on October 14, 2019, that Leonard D. Brown had fulfilled his earthly duties as the time had come for him to join those who had preceded him in death, his parents: Mr. James and Lucille Brown; brothers: William Brown (“Hootie”), Benjamin Brown (“Mazeo”), Wesley Brown (“Beaver”) and Samuel Brown (“Sack”); sisters: Cora B. Smith and Bettye Mae Brown. L.D. will truly be missed and leaves to cherish his precious memories to his two loving and devoted children: Son, Lamonte Brown (Revette) of Orlando, Florida; Daughter, Gloria Emanuel (Acie, III) of Kissimmee, Florida; Grandchildren: Chauncie Smith of Loughman, Florida, Briana Emanuel of Kissimmee, Florida, Adrian Emanuel of Kissimmee, Florida, Shantel Allen and Darius McKinney, both of Orlando, Florida; God Grandchild, Reginald Warren of New York; Step-Grandchildren: Alishia Emanuel of Kissimmee, Florida and Terence Emanuel of Round Lake, Illinois; Brother, Melvin Brown (Mary) of Kissimmee, Florida; Brother-in-Law: Willie B. “Boe” Pearson (Elizabeth) of Jacksonville, Florida; Sister-in-Law: Katherine Brown of Kissimmee, Florida; Long-Time Friends: Patricia Richards and Jacquelyn Brinson; Friends of the Family: Deloris McMillon, Ann and Willie L. Jones; the Retired Old Men Eating Out, “R.O.M.E.O” Friends--Richard Sanders, Johnny Brown and Russell Anderson. A host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Tributes

Leonard David Brown

May 4, 1938 - October 14, 2019