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Official Obituary of

Charles A. Brown, Jr.

August 17, 1924 ~ March 9, 2021 (age 96) 96 Years Old

Charles Brown, Jr. Obituary

Olean- Charles Arthur Brown, Jr., (Charlie Brown), passed away Tuesday (March 9, 2021), at the Olean General Hospital, after a short illness.

Born August 17, 1924 in Delevan, he was the son of the late, Charles Arthur and Lettie Pratt Brown, Sr. On July 2, 1949, in Conewango, Charlie married the love of his life, Barbara Archer, together they shared 71 years of marriage.

He was a 1943 graduate of Machias High School. Shortly after graduation, he joined the U.S. Army and was deployed to the European Theatre. Private First-Class Brown served with the 258 Field Artillery, including 302 days of combat, from Normandy, France to the Rhineland of Germany. He earned five major Battle Stars during his time in Europe.

Charlie was recently recognized for his service in the war being awarded the “Ancient Order of Saint Barbara”, the highest award given to an artillery soldier by his peers. He was honored in 2019 by the French Government being made a Knight of the Order of the French Legion of Honor, France’s highest award for his service in the liberation of France. He was also invited to Fort Drum to be part of the 258-field artillery firing of the newest cannon in the US Army. Charlie personally fired the first round on behalf of the World War II members of the Battalion. In recognition of Charlie’s service and dedication to the 258-field artillery, the New York State National Guard has made May 23rd, “Charlie Brown Day” in New York State.

Charlie was passionate in all that he did. He was a pilot, a photographer, and a man of many talents and a lover of life and God. Charlie and his wife, Barbara co-founded the Olean Community Church which is still thriving today. Previously, he was a member of Showers United Methodist Church.

He co-owned FraBar TV, managed the Price Cutter and was the head of the environmental lab at AVX Ceramics.

Besides his wife, Charlie is survived by two daughters, Ginny DeGroff Moses of Eldred, PA and Kathy (Randy) Scott of Derrick City, PA; her grandchildren, Lynette (Dave Calla) Case, Karen (Vic) Vena, Kristen (Chad) Nagel, Ryan (Johanna) Scott, and Amanda (Steve) Klima; 13 great-grandchildren; his best friend, his cat “Red”; and several nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, he is predeceased by his sisters, Theo Eley, Margie Chadderdon, Charlotte Posth, and Eleanor Bromly; step-mother, Pearl Brown; step-brother, George Schenk; and step-sister, Jean Felton; and a son-in-law, Drex Moses.

Funeral services will be private. A celebration of Charlie’s life will be held at a later date. Burial will be in Rutledge Cemetery, Conewango.

Memorials if desired can be made to the Olean Community Church, 145 S 26th Street, Olean.

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Guenther Funeral Home, Inc., 1303 E. State Street, Olean. Online condolences can be made at www.guentherfh.com.