James A. Brown Jr.

James A. Brown Jr. departed this life on Sunday, January 19, 2020. Born May 26, 1959, James (Jimmy) was the first in the six-pack of children born to James Sr. and Elaine Brown. Jimmy spent his formative years in Akron, Ohio where he attended Lincoln Elementary School, Thornton Junior High, and South (BIG BLUE) Senior High School. Jimmy loved sports and played both football and baseball as a youngster. He also loved playing basketball and would compete vigorously against his nieces and nephews. Jimmy relocated to Columbus, Ohio in the mid-1990s where he resided until his passing.

Jimmy was a beautiful free spirit and never guarded in his emotion toward his family. He had an uncanny ability to bring the most serious stone face to a situation but would easily render his forgiveness followed by a smirk and hearty laughter. Jimmy loved fashion like no other and knew how to dress to impress – with coordinated hats and shoes that complimented his outfits. Friends and family were never surprised to see him at special events supporting family members and dressed like a distinguished gentleman.

Jimmy loved working with his hands and held many occupations that enabled him to fulfill his talent for both putting things together and taking them apart. Jimmy’s passions were the visual arts, drawing most specifically, and music. Picking up a drawing utensil to create a magical work of art was something he did often and it is a gift he has passed on to his two sons. The medium he would choose to draw on did not matter much to him at all. It would not be uncommon to witness him using a paper napkin, cloth canvas, or a cardboard box for his art. Even a bedroom wall could be recruited as a means for creating his works. He loved to express himself through his distinct and beautiful drawings.
Though as passionate as he was about art, his greatest passion was being a great father to his two sons, Si’E and David Timothy, on whom he doted both his love and any material gifts he could obtain for them.

Jimmy loved our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He was water baptized as a youth at Victory Baptist Church in Akron, Ohio. If he could say one thing even right now, I believe, he would say to all of his family and friends I love you without measure and we will all be united again one day. Do not be sad because we all know the promises of God and that he never leaves or forsakes his children. Jimmy would encourage his children to go to church with their Aunts, even when he was not able to attend, knowing full-well the value of how a relationship with Jesus Christ had sustained him as a youth and in difficult times during his adulthood.

Jimmy is survived by loving family, sons Si’E (mother Marva Carter) and David Timothy Brown (mother Ebony Hinton), his beloved parent(s) James Allen Sr. and Elaine Brown; Siblings Donna (husband Brenton Savage Sr.) of Delaware, Ohio, Lisa Brown of Columbus, Ohio; Veronica (husband Quintin Sims), Darrin Brown of Akron, Ohio, and Keasha Brown of Alexander, Virginia, as well as a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Visitation 4:00pm and Funeral 5:00pm Saturday, January 25, 2020 at MARLAN J. GARY FUNERAL HOME, THE CHAPEL OF PEACE NORTH, 2500 Cleveland Ave.