Ronald Edward Brown

Ronald Edward Brown “Ronnie” 76, passed away on October 11, 2024. He was born on November 23, 1947, at KU Medical Center in Kansas City, Kansas to Lloyd Edward Brown and Maggie Lee Smith.

Ronnie grew up in Kansas City, MO. He was educated in the Kansas City Missouri Public School system where he attended Westport Jr. High School and later graduated from Central High School in 1966. He migrated to New York City shortly thereafter where he began to live his life.

On October 2, 1970 he united in marriage to Addie Lee Wilson. Out of this union, one child was born and two daughters were raised.

Ronnie began working at Columbia University Campus Facilities Department in 1983. He was employed by them until he retired after 32 years of service in 2015. After several accolades and promotions over the years, the last 15 of those 32 years, Ronnie was the Head Mechanic and Shop Steward of T.W.U. Local 241 Power House. He loved representing C.U. and was very proud of his progressive career at Columbia. It was his badge of honor. Over the decades he loved his “work family” as he affectionately referred to them as.

Ronnie enjoyed deep see fishing trips with his brothers from Columbia University. He loved football, basketball and was a huge fan of the New York Giants, Knicks, and Yankees. After his return to Kansas City, MO. post retirement, he became a fan of the KC Chiefs. He was the life of a party and enjoyed dancing and spending time with his daughters and “framily” in New York.

He was known for his infectious smile, boisterous personality and being a loving father to his two girls and father figure to others. He was always mindful of his spiritual being and later on in life developed a deeper love and understanding for the Lord.

Ronnie was preceded in death by: His parents, daughter Katrina L. Wilson, Brother Robert “Phill” Potts and nephews Terrance Rhinehart, and Officer Kamal Matthews of NYPD. Ronnie is survived by: his daughter Ayanna Brown of Kansas City, MO.; Sisters Willa Jones (Burch) of Oakland, CA., Brenda Fonville (Burch) of Kansas City, MO. and Brenda Wilson of Brooklyn, NY.; Brothers Gary Edward Brown of Kansas City, MO., Tony Matthews of Brooklyn, NY., and Charles Wilson of Kansas City, MO.; Grandson Keon M. Wilson of Kansas City, MO.; Nieces and nephews Marcus Rhinehart, Sierra Jones, Shameira and Phill Wilson, Muna and Charles Dempsey, and Kalika Grant (Wilson) as well as a large host of other family and friends from New York and Kansas City, MO.

A special thank you to his co-worker and best buddy/brother J.R., Columbia University Facilities Department and his brothers and sisters at T.W.U Local 241 for the support and love shown to Ronnie over the years. He loved working with you all very much and retiring from C.U. was one of his biggest and proudest accomplishments.

Ronnie will truly be missed and loved by all his family and friends.