Known simply as "Joe" to his countless friends, he also was forever "Mr. Brown" to others as a show of respect for the lasting impact he had on so many young lives and Flagstaff as a whole.

Brown was Assistant Principal at Coconino High School from 1971-1973 and Principal of Flagstaff High School from 1973-1977. He then served 20 years as the Flagstaff District Athletic Director, involved in every aspect of athletics locally, regionally and statewide.

As Athletic Director, he logged countless miles from Flagstaff to Window Rock, Page to Tucson and all points in between to help raise high school athletics and co-curricular activities to the level they are today. He also was successful in bringing recognition and acceptance of the smaller schools in the outlying areas, as well as elevating the girls' sports programs to a level equal to the boys' programs.

Brown and his wife, best friend and fellow educator Barbara were passionate about including intellectually challenged members of the student body and community in competitive athletics and co-curricular activities. Together the couple was instrumental in starting the Special Olympics program in Flagstaff, where he served as both area and local director for 25 years.

Brown understood athletics go well beyond mere physical activity. There were lessons of sportsmanship, teamwork, community and a never-quit winning spirit to be learned. He believed all students deserved to be able to both participate in co-curricular activities and be valued as individuals. He frowned on players getting cut from teams based solely on talent alone, just as he felt nothing was sadder than a student not having the opportunity to play because a district or school did not have adequate resources or levels of programs. To him, sports mattered.

Brown was born in Socorro, New Mexico, on February 24, 1940 to Charles Edward Brown and Claudine Daisy Walters Brown. He was the third child among six siblings and, not surprisingly, was considered to be the rebel rouser of the bunch. He graduated from Magdalena High School in 1958 and the following year he married his high school sweetheart, Barbara Coker. Together the couple attended Western New Mexico University in Silver City, New Mexico, where they welcomed their first child, Charles Lee, into the world. Later the couple graduated with Bachelor Degrees in Elementary Education.

Brown began his teaching career in New Mexico at Silver City High School, where he taught Science and Social Studies. He also coached cross country for the Silver City Mustangs winning three state championships, two runner-ups and a third place. The young Brown family then moved to Quemado, New Mexico, where he was hired as Principal of the town's K-12 school. His job included basketball and cross country coach of the Quemado Eagles, which had not won a game from 1966 to 1969. He coached the team in 1969 and 1970, winding up with a two-year record of 23-26. The Eagles won second place at the Cuba Invitational and qualified to the first round of the state tournament. As coach, Brown also created the school's first cross country team and revived the track program. During those two years, every boy in grades 7-12 were involved in those two sports.

After the birth of their second child, Kyra Jo, the Brown family moved to Flagstaff, where he was hired by Flagstaff Unified School District and began working on his graduate degree at Northern Arizona University. He served his Administrative Internship at Sechrist Elementary School, and the family added their youngest child, Felina Gail.

Longtime education and community leaders, Brown and his wife retired in 1996 from the Flagstaff school district but they didn't slow down. They devoted their free time to their children and grandchildren, attending almost every basketball, soccer, football, volleyball and cheerleading competition featuring their grandkids. The couple also traveled throughout the United States, Mexico, Canada and Costa Rica.

In 2009 the Browns celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary, with family members joining in the festivities. Joe Brown continued to show his undying devotion to wife Barb as he helped her through the later years of battling Alzheimer's disease until her death. He never stopped loving her.

He also never lost faith. There was nothing more important to him than his Lord, his family and friends he considered family. Brown, an active member of First Southern Baptist Church, was the first to lend a helping hand. There was no limit to his charity, which often was done behind the scenes with no recognition sought or wanted. He spent many hours a week volunteering for Flagstaff Family Food Bank.

He delivered smiles with vases of his homegrown Dahlias all over town. And he made sure to never miss a birthday or anniversary of any family member.

He cherished his fishing trips. He loved his chickens, turkeys, pigeons, rabbits, goats and sheep. He loved his Dallas Cowboys. He loved Northern Arizona, its outdoors and its people.

He loved life.

He forever will be sadly missed, just as he will be forever fondly remembered.

Joe Eugene Brown was preceded in death by his wife, Barbara Coker Brown; his parents, Charles and Claudine Brown; and his brother, Kenneth Brown. He is survived by his children, Charles Brown, Kyra Brown, and Felina Torres (Tony Torres); his grandchildren, Jessica Garard (Patrick Garard), Leigh Call (Blake Call), Lucas Brown, Carlee Brown and Jace Torres; and his great grandchildren, Talia, Teagan, Kason, Ari, Skylar, and Hayes; his siblings, Bennie Brown (Janet Brown), Charles Brown (Nelda Brown), Nina Wichmann (Paul Wichmann) and Cathy Cavin (Larry Cavin).

Memorial service will be April 28, at 1 p.m., at First Southern Baptist Church, 951 N. Switzer Canyon Blvd. An open house will follow, 3 p.m. to 5 p.m., at the home of granddaughter, Jessica Garard, at 158 E. Mohawk Drive, in Flagstaff.