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 John Michael Brown Passed away early Tuesday, June 26, 2012, at the age of 66. He was born October 27, 1945 and grew up in Ross, California. Many people remember him from the Art Center in San Rafael and he later owned Art Center II in San Anselmo. John was an artist, animal and people lover and an avid classic car and drag race fan. He was charismatic and well loved by everyone who crossed his path. John lived his life moving at full speed, never slowing down or looking back, but would always stop to lend a hand to a person in need. John was preceded in death by his parents Bernice and Mike, and his sister Beverly Ann Brown. He is survived and sadly missed by his sister Janice Hayden, nieces Lynn Calza, Andi Heard, Kendra Heard, Marina Antipa and Heather Rush and nephews Jason Barajas, Jesse Gardner, Steven Heard, Kyle Heard and Scott Antipa, and his former spouse Retie Brown, as well as his extended famly of lifelong friends in the "Red Gang". There will be two memorial services held in his honor so please contact friends or family members for details. A magnet on his refrigerator at the time of his death says everything you need to know: Life's journey is not to arrive safely at the grave in a well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, totally worn out, shouting "Holy c---!!...what a ride!" We will love and miss you old friend.
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Ronette "Ronnie" Smillie (Declerck)
John was just alot of fun to be with, he was almost always laughing or making fun, and loved music. I remember "Dancing In The Street" blaring on his big old fashioned 1940s floor radio...the summer of 1962 John, Pete Smiley, Whitey Howe, Gil Forrester, Sally Boss, and I had a great time going to Bolinas Beach, or cruising the San Rafael Strip exactly like it was in the George Lucas movie produced 11 years later, American Graffiti of 1973, and then going through Eat and Run for a quick bite, or bowling at the Greenbrae bowling alley...always something going on and full of fun and laughter! You couldn't help but love the guy...he was unforgetable! And, so was his laugh...I can hear it still ringing in my ears...I am sure he has things jumping in heaven now!
Willis Blackmore
Thanks, Ronnie!
Wallace "Whitey" Howe
It was nice to see your name Ronnie. I remember you well. John and I had some good times during our high school days, running about in my '52 Chevy, trying to stay out of trouble. I spent quite a few nights at his home in Ross so I wouldn't have to drive back to Fort Mason in the City where my parents lived. We used to fish the slough near the Greenbrae Bowling Alley for striped bass. We finally caught one that was big enough to take home and his mother cooked it for us. At the Redwood High graduation my father made comment about how much applause John received when they called his name. John was a good friend and I regret not seeing him before he passed on.
Gary Parraga
I remember the applause also for John also. What a character he was. A great memeory.
Elizabeth "Betsy" Winter/Anderson (Anderson)
I remember John so well from Mr. Mack's dance classes which I think we attended for three years. He turned a rather formal affair into good times. Then there was the story of the train tunnel as recounted by Gilbert Forrester which remains in my memory as the zaniest escapade ever told. My thanks to John for his heroic efforts following an initial error in judgment and Gilbert's expertise as a raconteur. I'm glad John's lust for life was so infectious.
Sandy McKean
Whitey, you commented about John: "trying to stay out of trouble". That struck me!
I didn't know John well, but I surely remember him (I suspect everyone does.....he was larger than life). Besides the fact that he seemed to have real artistic talent, what I seem to remember most about John is that he was always looking for trouble!! I always found that aspect of John to be a major part of his charm!