Greg Brown Life Story

Greg Brown gave his life to the people that he met, becoming a beacon of friendship to them. His life ended on a sad note but it was his love for people that has left behind a legacy in the hearts of those that were affected by the purity of how he loved them.

Brown died Jan. 2, 2005 at the age of 48.

According to Sharon Brown, Greg’s wife, he had a way of communicating with people. His outgoing behavior led him down many different paths throughout his life, which provided him numerous opportunities to do what he did best; helping people wherever he saw a need. This made the way for him to never meet a stranger — only new friends.

Savannah Brown, Greg’s daughter, said she wanted people to remember her father and his spirit, how fun he was and how much he laughed and loved people.

“He was like an old hippie,” she said. “He wanted everyone to get along and he believed it could actually happen some day.”

Greg enjoyed fishing, shooting clay pigeons and hunting during bird season, but he especially enjoyed playing the guitar.

Greg was a lifelong resident of Portales. He was born Oct. 23, 1956, to Gordon and Mary Lela “Pete” Brown. He graduated from Portales High School in 1974. While in High School he started working at Bishop Printing. He remained there until 1986, when he took a civil service job in squadron support at Cannon Air Force Base. He married Sharon Cole on June 12, 1981, in Clovis. He was a member of the Southside Church of Christ.

Don Thomas, a close friend of Greg’s, said, “Greg was a warrior. I have never seen anyone try to fight a battle so hard. My favorite thing about him was that he spoke with such passion.

“He wasn’t ashamed to say, ‘I love you brother’ and I’ll miss that about him.”

Throughout life, Greg always reached out to other people meeting them where they had a need but he was unsure how to help himself, according to family members.

His major goal in life was to see his family happy.

“He had a lot more plans for us than he had for himself,” said Savannah. “I will carry my dad in me until the day that I die because every time I see a person walking in the cold, I’ll give them a ride because that’s what my father did. Every time I see someone at the checkout counter that is low on change, I’ll help them out because that’s what my father did. And every time someone looks at me funny in public, I’ll shrug my shoulders because my father did the same thing. I carry him within me and that will not change."