GBHEM Mourns the Loss of Dr. Ted Brown

With great sadness, the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry (GBHEM) announced the passing of Dr. Ted Brown, 65, on May 20, 2017. Brown began serving as interim associate general secretary for the Division of Higher Education on April 3, 2017. He previously served on the GBHEM Board of Directors for two consecutive quadrennia, as vice president of the Division of Higher Education. He also served as the president of the International Association of Methodist Schools, Colleges, and Universities (IAMSCU). 

Most notably, Brown served as the 30th president of Martin Methodist College for nearly 20 years. During his tenure, the college saw tremendous growth in enrollment, academic programs and the physical size of the campus. He also served on the South Central Tennessee Workforce Development Board and completed a three-year term as chair of the Council of Presidents of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA).

Brown served as chair of the Giles County Chamber of Commerce and president of the Pulaski Rotary Club, along with service to the Board of Directors of the Boys and Girls Club. He was a member of the executive board of the Middle Tennessee Boy Scout Council and served in various roles with the David Crocket District Committee. 

Brown, a native of southern New Jersey, grew up as an active member of The United Methodist Church. He graduated from West Virginia Wesleyan College with a degree in Philosophy. Brown later earned his Master of Divinity and Doctor of Philosophy in Higher Education Leadership at Vanderbilt University. He also conducted post-doctoral work at Harvard University.

Brown’s obituary shares more about his impact within The United Methodist Church, his career and, most importantly, among his family and friends. “Ted’s leadership and vision helped to shape the landscape of Martin Methodist College, his church, his community, and the international presence of the Methodist church in higher education. He cherished his role as mentor to students and colleagues alike. Ted loved working with his hands to craft wooden furniture, toys, and presents for his friends and family. He attacked every home improvement challenge with vigor and was dubbed “the gadget guy” by his friends. He readily offered his handyman services to others who were in need. Ted relished the role of family travel agent and planned amazing vacations down to the very last detail. He enjoyed international travel, boating, model rocketry, and contemporary jazz. Of all the roles he played during his lifetime, the one he cherished the most was as G-Pa to his beloved grandchildren, William and Sadie. Ted was dedicated to his family: his wife Cheryl, his sons Ted(dy) and Tyler, his daughter-in-law Stephanie, his sister and brother-in-law Donna & Gordon Butler, his great aunts Susie Schulz and Sally Brown, and precious nieces, nephews, and cousins.”

To view Brown’s complete obituary, visit www.bennettmay.com. 

Funeral Arrangements

Visitation will be held at the Bennett-May-Giles County Funeral Home May 23, 4 to 7 p.m.  A memorial service will be held at First United Methodist Church in Pulaski on Wednesday, May 24, 3 to 3:30 p.m. The service will be officiated by Lee Stevenson and Steve Angus of Winchester First United Methodist Church.

Donations may be made to the Brown Scholarship Fund at Martin Methodist College, 433 W. Madison St., Pulaski, TN 38478. Cards may be sent to Cheryl and family at 261 Ravine Drive  Winchester, TN 37398.

This is a tremendous loss to GBHEM and Dr. Ted Brown will be greatly missed by the agency’s board, staff and constituents.

About GBHEM: As the leadership development agency of The United Methodist Church, the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry’s mission is to lead and connect the educational and ministerial life of the church. Every elder, deacon and licensed local pastor benefits from our training and candidacy programs. Many young adults find help in clarifying their vocation and God’s call on their lives through our leadership and discernment programs. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook: @GBHEM.