December 11, 1929 — February 10, 2025

Major General (MG) John M. “Mike” Brown was born in Vicksburg, MS, to Fred and Ernestine Brown and lived with his grandmother, Alice Foster. He attended several schools in Vicksburg before moving to San Francisco, CA, at the age of 15. He lived with his Uncle William and worked multiple small jobs while in school to support his family in Vicksburg. A model student who was a member of the Silver Seals Society and the National Honor Society, he graduated from Lincoln High School in Missouri in 1949 and entered the United States Military Academy at West Point in May 1951, graduating in May 1955 with a commission as a second lieutenant in the Infantry.

His military assignments included battalion command in Germany; a combat tour in Vietnam during the Vietnam War; several assignments in Korea, including brigade command, Deputy Chief of Staff, Comptroller for 8th Army, and Assistant Division Commander for the 2nd Infantry Division; Deputy Chief of Staff, Resource Management for the U.S. Army Forces Command (Atlanta, GA); several assignments on the Army Staff (Pentagon); and Deputy Commanding General of III Corps and Fort Hood, his final assignment, from which he retired in March 1988 as a major general. His awards and decorations included the Distinguished Service Medal, Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit, and Bronze Star.

MG Brown held a bachelor’s degree in Engineering from the United States Military Academy at West Point and a master’s degree in Business Administration from Syracuse University. He was a graduate of the Infantry Officer’s Basic and Advanced Courses, the Army Command and Staff College, and the Industrial College of the Armed Forces.

After his retirement in 1988, he remained active. He served as a real estate broker for Long and Foster Real Estate and sat on the board of directors of First Virginia Bank of Maryland and Farmer’s Bank of Maryland. He also conducted numerous studies for the U.S. Department of Defense and private corporations, as well as a management study of the Singapore military/government headquarters as President of Michael Brown Analytics.

He was married to the late Louise D. Brown and is survived by his four beloved children: Ronald, Jan, John Jr., and Jay. He cherished his eight grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren, along with many nieces and nephews, all of whom he loved deeply and cared for throughout his life.

In lieu of flowers, the family encourages contributions to SpiritWorks Foundation to support the Center for Moral Injury Healing and Renewal. This center empowers individuals, especially those who serve others, with essential resources for healing and growth. Contributions can be mailed to 5800 Mooretown Rd, Williamsburg, VA 23188, or made online at spiritworksfoundation.org.

A burial service will take place at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, VA at a later time.