Harold Eugene Brown, Sr.

Life’s Reflection of Harold Eugene Brown Sr.

Harold Eugene Brown Sr. departed this life 1:57 P.M. on Tuesday May 28, 2019 at Providence Medical Center in Kansas City Kansas.

He was born at Douglas Hospital in Kansas City Kansas on December 21, 1926 to Tenzie Fred and Ora Hunter Brown. He was the second of five children, his oldest brother (Tenzie Jr) died shortly after birth. He had three additional siblings, Luther (decreased), Francis Colston of Des Moines, Iowa and Gloria Jones of Kansas City Kansas. He received his early education in Kansas City Kansas Public Schools (Grant Elementary and Northeast Junior High) and graduated from Sumner High School in 1943-44. After graduation, he attended Kansas City Kansas Junior College and received his Associate Degree. Afterward, he attended University of Denver and subsequently was accepted into the University of Kansas, School of Pharmacy. While attending college, Harold was drafted into the US Army and received an Honorable Discharge. After leaving the Army, he opted to return to Kansas City to assist his family overcome some financial hardships due to his father sustaining a significant injury. Harold started working in the family-owned business, Brown and Sons Plumbing (BSP) with his brother and father. BSP became a successful small business and were the first Afro-American plumbing contractor to secure plumbing contacts to install sewers in the early development of Overland Park.

While installing hardwood flooring in his parent’s home, little did he know that his life was going to change forever. He met his “living angel”, Josephine Campbell from Moro, Arkansas. He was so smitten by her beauty that he immediately went into “gotta have her mode”. After an eventful courtship, they were married on Christmas Day 1950 at Saint Peters CME church in Kansas City Kansas. This precious marriage endured 68 years and from this union four were born, Harold Jr (Cheryl), Venessa, Adoria and Angela (Gordon).  All of Harold’s children consider themselves blessed to have such wonderful parents.  Harold was a life- long member on Saint Peters CME church, his wife is a life-long member of Eight Street Baptist Church that is located directly across the street.

Harold joined the Police Department in 1959. During his distinguished career at the Police Department, he received numerous awards and commendations including numerous promotions.   His final promotion was Deputy Chief of Police. He retired from the Police Department after 38 years of faithful and committed services. Harold had to endure oppositional difficulties and political challenges while moving up the ranks. One example was being an Afro American patrolman, in uniform, walking his assigned beat on segregated Minnesota Ave looking for shoplifters. All of the national and local department stores were located on Minnesota Ave.  Hum… you think a shoplifter might see Harold before he saw them? In spite of the challenge, he was successful in apprehending many individuals.  He was a member of the Masonic Temple and Kansas City Kansas Optimist.

Harold was devoted to his church, where he became head of the Stewart Board, member of the Finance Committee, Sunday school teacher and overseer of numerous church events. After retirement he maintained a connection with his community by attending events at the FOP Lodge and manning the voting polls with his wife. 

Harold leaves to cherish his memory his wife, his children, brother in law, James Campbell; ten grandchildren Adrienne Wilson, Jimmy (Gus) Scott, Michael Wilson, Tenzie Wilson, Joshua Scott, Jessica Brown, Malia Brown, Lindsey (Brown) Gabriel, Devonte Brown and Desire’ Brown, eleven great grandchildren and a host of cousins, nieces, nephews and relatives

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