Bobby Brown

Robert "Bobby"Timothy Brown

Robert Timothy Brown was born May 3, 1970 on Homestead Air Force Base in Homestead, Florida, to Robert Charles "R.C." and Esther Mae Fancher Brown. Bobby's life ended suddenly and unexpectedly when he fell from his deer stand on Saturday, October 10, 2009, making his stay here on earth 39 years, 5 months and 7 days. Bobby got up early Saturday morning and took his bow and arrow and made the hour and fifteen-minute journey to Carroll County to do something he dearly loved, deer hunt. We know he arrived in the area well before 6:00 a.m. on what was to be a beautiful fall day and climbed up his tree stand. No one but God knows exactly what happened after that. All we know is that he never came home. When we first heard that Bobby hadn't made it to work Saturday evening, we all knew something was wrong. He was always dependable and punctual so the moment Rebecca knew he didn't show up at work, she initiated the search. Four long hours later, the horrible news came that Bobby's young life was over.
While R.C. finished his enlistment in the U.S. Army Esther moved back home to Ravenna when Bobby was six weeks old. R.C. was given the honor of serving his country in Okinawa from June 1970 to June 1971, Esther began raising Bobby in the Christian Fundamental teachings and philosophy that would shape his life. Teaching Bobby Bible versus, fulfilling the Biblical directive of Proverbs 22:6 to "…raise up a child in the way he should go…" Bobby attended Vacation Bible School every summer in the church pastored by his Grandmother the late Rev. Sylvia L. Brown. At 5 years of age he began his education at West Main Elementary in Ravenna. After graduating West Main Elementary he moved to Brown Junior High School accelerating in Honors Classes. During his time he developed a love for the game of chess eventually winning a place on a team that attended a national tournament in Tuscon, Arizona. He loved music, especially the piano. He later attended Ravenna High School, graduating in 1988 and would continue his education at Akron University and Stark State College.
In 1998, while employed at Press of Ohio, Bobby met the love of his life, Rebecca Marie Elkins. Both of them had beautiful young girls, Bobby had Kayla Marie and Rebecca had Abigail Dakota. They fell in love and married June 30, 2001 in Barberton, Ohio. God blessed them with three additional children, Emma Grace, Hannah Elizabeth and Luke Elijah, who all survive. In addition to his wife and children, he is survived by his parents, R.C. and Esther Brown of Statesville, NC, his brother, Thomas Anthony of Las Vegas, NV and his sister, Sylvia Lucille (Angelo) Smith of Brimfield, his in-laws, Dennis and Nelvia Elkins of Suffield, his grandfather, Charles Brown of Ravenna and a host of other relatives and friends. Bobby was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Rev. James and Blanche (Scott) Fancher, and his paternal grandmother, Reverend Sylvia L. (Smalley) Brown.
Bobby was a faithful husband and father who diligently provided for his family. He loved all of his family and was always ready to lend a helping hand. He was well read in the Bible, was quick to forgive and never held a grudge. Bobby never had an unkind word to say of anyone. He had participated in Bible Bowl type competitions while attending his family church in Ravenna. He was a loyal and cherished friend to all that knew him.
Bobby was a quiet man and enjoyed spending time alone and watching sports of all kinds. He loved golf and played whenever he could. He loved fishing and deer hunting and was always pursuing bringing home that big trophy buck. Until a couple of years ago, he was always involved in softball and loved it. He enjoyed coaching Emma's softball team and watching Kayla, Abby, Emma and Hannah play in various sports and participate in other extracurricular activities. His pride overflowed as Kayla graduated from Streetsboro High School this spring with honors. From the first time I met Bobby, he was always bragging about his nephew, Dominic. He thoroughly enjoyed watching his two favorite nephews, Dominic and Isaiah play football, baseball or wrestling, and of course, he enjoyed watching his niece, Cheyenne, as she played softball, volleyball, and basketball. He dreamed of the day when he could watch and coach his son. He had so many plans for his family. He was always excited about the next big family vacation.
Bobby worked hard and was a dedicated, conscientious employee. He worked his way up from being a general laborer to becoming a supervisor with Press of Ohio, now Hess Print Solutions where he worked about 15 years. Prior to this, he worked in the foundry and for JCPenney's hanging custom drapes, a job he really enjoyed and spoke of frequently.
To his friends and his family, Bobby loved all of you. But to those of you that Bobby was closest to his sister, Sylvia, and husband, Angelo, who Bobby felt you were like a brother. Bobby adored you, he enjoyed just being near you, Rebecca wants to say thank you…thank you so much for all of the love, the support, the gifts, the joy that you brought us. She is forever indebted. To his friends, in particular Jeff and Spike, thank you. He loved the two of you. He was so happy doing things with you…whether it was going to football or baseball games, golfing together or just hanging out.
The Bible teaches us that we have no promise of tomorrow. If the good man of the house had known when the thief would come, he would have set up a watch and prevented his house from being taken. To all of Bobby's family and friends, Bobby's passing is such a clear example of the suddenness with which a healthy young life can be snatched away. If Bobby were able to speak to you, he would warn you to not take the brittle threads of life for granted but to value every moment. Love and honor God with your whole heart and love your family and friends as yourself. Seek God and his wondrous mercy while you still have time and opportunity.