It is with great sorrow that I announce the passing of my father, George Brown, on February 17, 2026, at 9 p.m. 

Dad was born in Roseland, Kansas, on January 24, 1934, where he was surrounded by the love of both his maternal and paternal grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, and family friends. Josie, his father’s mother, was his champion, and his ornery goat, Sickle, gave the milk that sustained baby George.

In 1939, at the urging of his friend John Chiolino Sr., George’s father, Abe, came to Colorado with two friends, Sandy Nacaratto and Yellow Reynolds, in search of mining work. After securing work and shelter, Abe sent for his wife, Mary, and their two children—George (age 5) and Mary Margaret (age 2)—who came by bus after George completed his first semester of first grade.

One day, someone asked Dad what he wanted to be when he grew up. Dad said, “Be a coal miner like my dad.” Hearing this, Abe took Dad down a mineshaft, turned off his lantern, and stood in the dark, tight mine for a moment before relighting it. Then he said to George, “The only people who make any money in the mines are the businessmen and the engineers.” Dad took this to heart.

Dad formed close and enduring friendships with John Chiolino Jr., Ron Leggett, Bill Sneddon, and Jim Graves, who together formed the singing group “The Flashy Five.” His memories of this group brought joy to Dad throughout his life.

George enrolled in the Engineering Department at the University of Colorado when he was 17. He met Sandy (Sandra Stiefel Langell) at a drive-in restaurant in Boulder, and they married in 1954. They were together until her death in 2009. They had four children, were wonderful parents, and had a lot of fun together.

Dad felt very fortunate to be referred for a job interview at Public Service Company of Colorado, where he began working at age 18. After the untimely death of his father from a heart attack, George (age 19) took on extra work (Phillips 66, and Luigi’s) and helped support his mother and sister, who also went to work. Dad was drafted and left CU but was needed at home and did not enlist. He advanced as far as he could at Public Service Company without a formal degree and was encouraged by his boss to return to school. Dad completed his education at Metro State University, graduating in 1969. His education opened new business opportunities, and Dad continued working for Public Service Company until he retired in 1994—42 years after he began.

Dad was a very proud and active resident of Louisville. He served his community as a volunteer firefighter and chief, on the planning commission and city council, and through various philanthropic organizations, including The Elks Club (ER), The Lions Club, and The Sons of the American Legion. Dad loved the outdoors and was a Scout leader, a member of the Louisville Rod and Gun Club, and heartily enjoyed fishing and hunting with his friends.  (Talk about farm to table- this man, with help, could take a wild animal all the way to the table!)

Dad deeply cherished his friendships and family relationships. He felt grateful to have you all in his life.

Dad loved his dog Jasper—“my boy.”

George Brown was preceded in death by his wife, Sandy Langell Brown (1935–2009); his son, Robbyn Dana Brown (1954–1972); his daughter, Tammy Lynn (Brown) Robertson (1960–2002); his mother, Mary (Vinardi) Brown (1908–2000); and his father, Abraham Brown Jr. (1902–1953).

George is survived by his sister, Mary Margaret (Brown) Rizzi, and her children and grandchildren; his son, Jordan Brown; Jordan’s children- JJ Brown, Abraham Brown, and Anna Maria Brown; his daughter Tammy’s husband, David Robertson; Tammy’s children, Wendy (Robertson) Wood and Jeffery Robertson “Pete”; stepdaughter Holly (Robertson) Topliss, Wayne Topliss; Wendy’s husband, Austin Wood, and their children, Jacob and Jayce; Jeff’s wife, Cristina (Sanchez) Robertson, and their children, Macie, Makenzie, and Tyler; and me, his daughter, Trina Brown.