Joe passed on September 13, 2024, when he died peacefully in his sleep, according to his brother, James "Jim" Brown. At the time, he was living in an assisted living facility in West Hills, California, but was also in and out of Kaiser Woodland Hills. 

A memorial service was held at his church (Calvary Chapel West Hills) on November 8th, 2024. Below is the YouTube link. Joe was cremated and is in a nich with his parents at Forest Lawn Glendale.

https://youtu.be/lxzkV-JJ1-g

Here is a partial quote taken from a note from classmate Carl Almquist:

Here is the biography for Joe that his brother Jim sent attached to this email. I would love it we changed his name to Pastor Joe Brown because he ministered to so many people, especially me. If it were not for Joe, I would have not committed my life to Christ and become the man God intended.

He truly used iron to sharpen iron.

In case you don't recognize that last line, it's from this: "As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another" which is a proverb from Proverbs 27:17 that highlights the necessity of interpersonal,, often challenging, relationships for personal, intellectual, or spiritual growth. It suggests that, like tools, people sharpen each other's characters, skills, and wit through mutual encouragement, accountability, and sometimes constructive, "spark-inducing" friction. It is frequently cited in Christian contexts to emphasize fostering community and sharpening one another through the Word of God. 

Included with Carl's note was an attachment sent to Carl by Joe's brother Jim:

JOSEPH H. BROWN

BIOGRAPHY

Joseph H. Brown (Joe) was born to William H. and May R. Brown on July 1, 1952. He was the

fourth born of the five Brown children. He grew up in the family home in La Canada, California.

He graduated from La Canada High School in June 1970.

After graduation from high school Joe attended Pasadena City College; receiving his associates

degree. He then attended the University of Colorado, Boulder, where he received his bachelor’s

degree. It was during this time in Boulder that Joe began his devotion to Christ and ministering

to those seeking to find God.

Joe returned to Southern California after his time in Boulder and spent the rest of his years

living and working in Camarillo, Simi Valley, and the San Fernando Valley. Joe devoted much of

this time sharing God’s word and ministering to hundreds of people. It was this devotion that

led many to refer to him as “Pastor Joe.”

Joe passed away peacefully on September 13, 2024, at Kaiser Permanente Hospital, Woodland

Hills, with two close friends at his bedside. Joe was preceded in death by his parents and his

sister Nancy. Joe is survived by his brothers Bill, Jim, and Bob, two sisters-in-law, a niece by

marriage, a nephew by marriage, two nieces, four nephews, four grandnieces, and six

grandnephews.