1924
Rev.
2011
Rev. Dr. Otis F. Brown, Sr.
February 15, 1924 — December 11, 2011
Otis Frank Brown, Sr., born February 15, 1924, was the second child and first son of Charlie and Cordie Brown in Kendleton, Texas. God called him home while surrounded by his family on Sunday December 11, 2011 at 11:00 p.m. At birth he was deathly ill however God healed his young body so he could fulfill his great purpose in life. God gave Otis Brown a pastor's heart and a love for all people. God implanted into his spirit a passion to share the gospel, justice, equality and education
Education was important to Otis Brown and he pursued it vigorously. He attended Pacific Bible College which is now known as Warner Pacific College. He also attended Portland Extension Center of Higher Education which is today known as Portland State University. Dr. Brown studied and was employed by the University of Washington in Seattle, Washington; attended Simpson Bible College and San Francisco Theological Seminary as well as the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley, CA.
Dr. Brown holds a Ministerial and Teaching Diploma and earned the following degrees: Bachelor of Science, Master of Arts, Master of Divinity and Doctor of Ministry. Dr. Brown was awarded two Doctor of Divinity Degrees; one from Faith Evangelistic Christian Schools and the other from Southern California School of Ministry. On August 31, 1995 he was honored with a Doctor of Humane Letters from Warner Pacific College. On April 28, 2001 he was honored with a Presidential Citation from Western Seminary in Portland, Oregon.
Early on Dr. Brown had an acute interest in medical research. He served four years in the field of Histology at the Veterans Hospital in Portland and eleven years in the field of Cardiovascular Research at the University of Washington in Seattle, Washington.
Dr. Brown was a social activist and was chosen to attend the Urban Training Center on a Ford Foundation Scholarship in Chicago, Illinois in 1967. In his plight to experience life as one on the margins of society, he became a transient and lived on the streets for several days in some of the worst slums in Chicago. He always wanted to write a book about this amazing experience.
Dr. Brown began his ministry in 1940 doing evangelistic work. He entered Pacific Bible College in 1942 and began pastoring a church which he planted in 1944. This Church is now known as Maranatha Church of God, located at 12th and Skidmore in Portland, Oregon. He pastored there for nine years and was ordained in 1949. He pastored fourteen years in Seattle, Washington; eight years in San Francisco, California; and eighteen years in Detroit, Michigan. He served on several committees, internationally, nationally and on the state level. He made several trips to East Africa evangelizing and teaching at Kima Theological College. He considered these trips to Africa to be valuable, life changing experiences, which he treasured and shared with his family.
After Dr. Brown retired from pastoral ministry he continued ministering through writing articles, conferences, workshops, seminars, revivals and interim pastoring. He was often called upon to speak at Camp meetings and Conventions. In 1997 he was called to become president of North Portland Bible College.
Rev. Dr. Brown was proud to be Pastor Emeritus of Maranatha Church of God, and was pleased with the churches he planted in the Pacific Northwest. He delighted in seeing these Churches branch out and grow. Each Sunday he looked forward to following the Pastor and Sister Bethel out of service and shaking hands with all the members.
Rev. Dr. Otis F. Brown is preceded in death by his loving wife of 60 years, Rev. Dr. Johnnie M. Brown. He is survived by his children: Rita Joyce, Portland, OR; Otis Frank Brown, Jr., (Lendor), Tucson, AZ; Jacquelyne, Concord, CA; Alvin Brown, Seattle, WA Daphyne Kaye, Oakland, CA, and Laura (James), Seattle, WA; and many precious extended daughters and sons; Grand Children: Jacquelyn Cherrise, Bobbi Lynn (Keith), Carmella (Anthony), Otis, III(Tonya), Michael (Sharonda), Larita, Veronica and Jaime (Paddy); Great-grandchildren: Sarita, Daphyne Kaye, Miguel, Brandi, Brittney, Christopher, Robert, Brooke, Summer Breeze, Chartina, Jasmine, Brianna, Kelly, Malaysia, Malik, Miya, Malcolm, Matthew and Devon; Sisters: Rev. Charlene Nix, Dallas, TX, , Florean Greer, Piano, TX, Flora Smith, (ML) Kendleton, TX. Brothers: Quincie Hunter, and Roscoe Brown, (Ann) both of Buffalo, NY. He also leaves a cherished Aunt Jean Lewis and Uncle Curtis Brown; Sister-in-Law: Dr. Hazel Brown; loving nieces, nephews, Godchildren and a host of relatives, friends, numerous foster children, spiritual sons and daughter.
Preceding him in eternal life are his parents, Charlie and Cordie Brown; a brother, Pastor Victor Brown; a son, Emmanuel; a granddaughter, Christine, and her mother, Carol Brown; and a great-granddaughter, Alexandria.
Education was important to Otis Brown and he pursued it vigorously. He attended Pacific Bible College which is now known as Warner Pacific College. He also attended Portland Extension Center of Higher Education which is today known as Portland State University. Dr. Brown studied and was employed by the University of Washington in Seattle, Washington; attended Simpson Bible College and San Francisco Theological Seminary as well as the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley, CA.
Dr. Brown holds a Ministerial and Teaching Diploma and earned the following degrees: Bachelor of Science, Master of Arts, Master of Divinity and Doctor of Ministry. Dr. Brown was awarded two Doctor of Divinity Degrees; one from Faith Evangelistic Christian Schools and the other from Southern California School of Ministry. On August 31, 1995 he was honored with a Doctor of Humane Letters from Warner Pacific College. On April 28, 2001 he was honored with a Presidential Citation from Western Seminary in Portland, Oregon.
Early on Dr. Brown had an acute interest in medical research. He served four years in the field of Histology at the Veterans Hospital in Portland and eleven years in the field of Cardiovascular Research at the University of Washington in Seattle, Washington.
Dr. Brown was a social activist and was chosen to attend the Urban Training Center on a Ford Foundation Scholarship in Chicago, Illinois in 1967. In his plight to experience life as one on the margins of society, he became a transient and lived on the streets for several days in some of the worst slums in Chicago. He always wanted to write a book about this amazing experience.
Dr. Brown began his ministry in 1940 doing evangelistic work. He entered Pacific Bible College in 1942 and began pastoring a church which he planted in 1944. This Church is now known as Maranatha Church of God, located at 12th and Skidmore in Portland, Oregon. He pastored there for nine years and was ordained in 1949. He pastored fourteen years in Seattle, Washington; eight years in San Francisco, California; and eighteen years in Detroit, Michigan. He served on several committees, internationally, nationally and on the state level. He made several trips to East Africa evangelizing and teaching at Kima Theological College. He considered these trips to Africa to be valuable, life changing experiences, which he treasured and shared with his family.
After Dr. Brown retired from pastoral ministry he continued ministering through writing articles, conferences, workshops, seminars, revivals and interim pastoring. He was often called upon to speak at Camp meetings and Conventions. In 1997 he was called to become president of North Portland Bible College.
Rev. Dr. Brown was proud to be Pastor Emeritus of Maranatha Church of God, and was pleased with the churches he planted in the Pacific Northwest. He delighted in seeing these Churches branch out and grow. Each Sunday he looked forward to following the Pastor and Sister Bethel out of service and shaking hands with all the members.
Rev. Dr. Otis F. Brown is preceded in death by his loving wife of 60 years, Rev. Dr. Johnnie M. Brown. He is survived by his children: Rita Joyce, Portland, OR; Otis Frank Brown, Jr., (Lendor), Tucson, AZ; Jacquelyne, Concord, CA; Alvin Brown, Seattle, WA Daphyne Kaye, Oakland, CA, and Laura (James), Seattle, WA; and many precious extended daughters and sons; Grand Children: Jacquelyn Cherrise, Bobbi Lynn (Keith), Carmella (Anthony), Otis, III(Tonya), Michael (Sharonda), Larita, Veronica and Jaime (Paddy); Great-grandchildren: Sarita, Daphyne Kaye, Miguel, Brandi, Brittney, Christopher, Robert, Brooke, Summer Breeze, Chartina, Jasmine, Brianna, Kelly, Malaysia, Malik, Miya, Malcolm, Matthew and Devon; Sisters: Rev. Charlene Nix, Dallas, TX, , Florean Greer, Piano, TX, Flora Smith, (ML) Kendleton, TX. Brothers: Quincie Hunter, and Roscoe Brown, (Ann) both of Buffalo, NY. He also leaves a cherished Aunt Jean Lewis and Uncle Curtis Brown; Sister-in-Law: Dr. Hazel Brown; loving nieces, nephews, Godchildren and a host of relatives, friends, numerous foster children, spiritual sons and daughter.
Preceding him in eternal life are his parents, Charlie and Cordie Brown; a brother, Pastor Victor Brown; a son, Emmanuel; a granddaughter, Christine, and her mother, Carol Brown; and a great-granddaughter, Alexandria.
Visitation
Rose City Funeral Home
5625 Northeast Fremont Street
Portland
,
OR
US
97213-1754
Thursday, December 15, 2011, 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Visitation
Maranatha Church
4222 Northeast 12th Avenue
Portland
,
OR
US
97211
Friday, December 16, 2011, 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Service
Maranatha Church of God
4222 Northeast 12th Avenue
Portland
,
OR
US
97211
Saturday, December 17, 2011, 10:30 AM
Cemetery
Rose City Cemetery
5625 N.E. Fremont St.
Portland
,
OR
US
97213-1754
Saturday, December 17, 2011,
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