Charlie Brown, affectionately known as “Papa C,” passed away peacefully on Monday evening, August 31, 2026, with his children by his side. Born in Tulsa, Oklahoma, on April 11, 1945, Charlie lived a full and adventurous life, leaving behind countless stories, memories, and people who loved him dearly.

Charlie had been ill for a long time, but in that difficult season, our family was given a precious gift, the gift of time. We were blessed with additional time to sit with him, pray, share our love, tell stories, and say goodbye. While we will always wish we had more time, we are grateful for every moment we were given and that his earthly body is no longer in pain.

Charlie was many things throughout his life: a proud veteran, a pilot who owned two airplanes, a soccer coach, a businessman, Bridge Grand Master, a traveler, a storyteller, and a devoted father and grandfather. He had several successful careers over the years and eventually retired from his flooring business in Fort Worth.

He also had an incredible mathematical mind. Charlie could estimate, calculate, and figure things out so effortlessly that he often seemed like a human computer. It was one of the many remarkable qualities that made him so unique.

But the things that mattered most to Charlie were the people he loved and the adventures he shared with them. He was often described as just a big kid with a big heart.

Charlie and his beloved partner of 30 years, Sue Gilbreath, affectionately known to the family as “Papa C and Mimi Sue,” shared many wonderful adventures together. They traveled, enjoyed great food, visited family over the holidays, attended soccer games, and made memories that will be treasured forever. Sue preceded Charlie in death, and we find comfort imagining the two of them together again.

Charlie loved his children deeply and was especially proud of his grandchildren. He loved being part of their lives—showing up for soccer games, taking family vacations, sharing worn-out jokes, and simply being there. He was always fun to talk with and never seemed to run out of a good story, a joke, or an opinion.

Charlie was also a devoted Dallas Cowboys fan, and anyone who knew him knew just how much he loved his Cowboys. It was really sad to watch this unwavering but misplaced devotion to a team that last had it's glory days in the Troy Aikman and Emmet Smith franchise. He appreciated the good things in life: traveling, a hot craps table, great food, especially Fredericksburg's famous chicken-fried ribeye with lobster gravy from Cabernet Grill. Charlie knew how to enjoy life, and he had a way of making the people around him enjoy it too.

Most of all, Charlie was someone who left memories. The kind of memories that will bring a smile long after the tears have passed. His stories, his humor, his adventures, his love for his family, and his unmistakable personality will live on in all of us who had the privilege of knowing him.

Charlie is survived by his children Charles (Spencer) Brown III and wife Rachel, William Brown and wife Kelley, daughter Traci Brown and her husband Rex Stow as well as his sister Sally Brown and sister-in-law Joy Brown. Traci dedicated much of the last 5 years to taking care of him in his declining health. Charlie also leaves behind grandchildren Shane Brown, Sydney Brown, Katherine Brown, and Michael Stow as well as nieces Kim and Jessica, nephew Kyle and many great-nieces and great-nephews. All of whom he loved and was very proud of. He is preceded in death by his grandson Jacob Brown, Granddaughter Julia Brown, his parents Charles Spencer Brown and Betty Ann Brown, and his brother Preston Brown. He is now with Our Lord in Heaven, reunited with Sue and the loved ones who went before him. And knowing Charlie, we can only hope that his new heavenly body has finally given him everything he ever wanted, especially if Heaven happens to include him as quarterback in a locker room full of Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders.

That would certainly be Charlie's kind of Heaven.

Charlie was a proud veteran serving as a sharpshooter and medical corpsman for the Army's 101st Airborne Screaming Eagles.

A service honoring his life will be held at South Park Baptist Church 12:30 on October 9th at 401 West Warrior Trail, Grand Prairie Texas and followed by a military service at the Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery 2:15 at 2000 Mountain Creek Parkway.

Rest in Peace, Charlie Brown.

We love you, Papa C.

We will miss you dearly.

And we will carry your stories and memories with us forever.