Edward Brown

Choice Cremation 

Sarah Brown-Schmidt

Bonnie Riley

Edward Oakley Brown was born in West Point, Georgia, on May 7, 1942, to Francis and Elizabeth (Newman) Brown. Edward died on March 20th, 2026, due to complications from interstitial fibrosis of the lung.

As a child, Ed’s mother managed the home, and his father was a navigator-bombardier in the United States Army Air Corps (and later, the US Air Force). As a result, Ed (or Oakley as he was called in his younger days) moved frequently with his family. His schooling began in Frankfurt, Germany, where he was enrolled in the first grade, and where he and his sister, Ann, began learning German. After attending a variety of schools as his father’s station assignments moved the family all around the country, Ed graduated from Valley High School in Valley, AL, in 1960.

Upon graduating, Ed enrolled in college the following Fall. Over the years, he studied at San Antonio Jr. College, Jacksonville State, the University of Heidelberg, the University of Munich, and the University of Arizona (B.S.). His studies in Germany were interrupted by the Vietnam War. During his service in the US Air Force, he was stationed both in Kotezebu, Alaska (1971-72) and in Tuscon, Arizona where he sustained a broken neck while attempting to repair a radar station during a snowstorm on Mt. Lemon. After finishing his service, he was honorably discharged from the Air Force and went on to earn a Ph.D. in Clinical-Community Psychology at the University of Maryland, College Park (MA, 1978, Ph.D., 1981). The title of his dissertation was “The Climates Within Classrooms: A Partial Function of Roles.”

After earning earning his clinical licensure, Ed worked as a clinical psychologist in a variety of settings ranging from a small community clinic serving Whidbey Island in Coupeville, WA, as a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Washington, in private practice on Mercer Island, WA, as a part of mental health practice in Everett, WA, and finally at the Department of Veteran Affairs where he worked until his retirement in 2020. He enjoyed providing psychotherapy to many patients over the years.

Ed married the love of his life, Carol, in June 1976. They had many wonderful adventures together. They raised three children together David, Sarah, and Alexi in Washington State. In 2009, Ed and Carol moved to be closer to their grandchildren and played an active role in their four grandsons’ lives.

Ed will be remembered as a loving father, a veteran, an avid basketball player, a lover of good books, someone who enjoyed spending time with friends and family, and a wonderful storyteller. Ed was genuinely curious about the world and other people, and his presence always brightened up a room.

Ed is survived by his daughter Sarah Brown-Schmidt and her husband Duane Watson, his son Alexi Brown-Schmidt and his wife Bridget, step-son David Hickey, four amazing grandchildren Otto, James, Forrest, and Charlie, sisters Ann Brown, Amy Carter, and Nancy Allen, brothers Jack Brown and Paul Brown, and many nieces and nephews.

Ed was preceded in death by his loving wife Carol Schmidt, his mother Elizabeth Newman Brown, father Francis Brown, step-mother Alma Brown, and brother Robert Brown.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Alive Hospice, 1718 Patterson Street, Nashville, TN 37203, or that you commit a random act of kindness that brings you joy.

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Edward Brown Obituary | Choice Cremation