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Lieutenant General Charles Winston Brown, a true American Cowboy, who was born June 15, 1932, on a cattle ranch 10 miles SE of Rushville, Nebraska, passed quietly to an ever greener pasture, on February 15, 2007. Charles slipped peacefully away, surrounded by loved ones telling him how much he meant to them.
From humble beginnings, Charles graduated in 1973, from one of only 7 four-year college programs at New Mexico Military Institute. Always saying that he was, “Waiting to see if something better came along”, this humble man became known as one of the great leaders in the U.S. Army, rising to the rank of Lt. General, retiring in 1990. He returned to the west he loved, in 1995, allowing him to be close enough to manage his beloved Brown Bros. Ranch, located in the Sandhills of Nebraska.
In 1958, Charles married Sherry Church, the daughter of another career Army Officer. Son Stephan and daughter Christi were born in Lubbock, Texas, where he taught ROTC and sponsored the 300 member rodeo team at Texas Tech University. In his career, he was stationed in multiple U.S. locations, France, Germany, Viet Nam and Korea. The move to Colorado was the 29th move in 37 years for Sherry and Charles. His last assignments were in the Pentagon, dealing with Middle East Policy. He was happiest in command of troops, but was regarded as a brilliant logistician. At the end of his career, his respect in the Middle East extended equally among the Israeli as well as the Arab leaders. He could walk with cowboys and kings and be equally at home.
As a Brigadier General in Germany, he participated alongside his troops in rodeo USA. After an absence from rodeo of 20 years, he proudly roped a calf in his personal record time of 8 seconds, at age 48, to his troops delight. The photograph of this accomplishment was displayed on the front page of the Stars and Stripes newspaper, under the caption of “The Cowboy General”.
Although he served in the military for 37 years, in combat in Viet Nam and the Dominican republic - receiving the Bronze Star with Valor, Legion of Merit (twice) and the Distinguished Service Medal - he was proudest of his pioneer heritage. His grandparents helped settle the Nebraska Territories. His parents ingrained integrity into him, making him the honorable head of his own family, who adored him.
Charles is survived by his adoring wife and children, beloved daughter-in-law, Terri and 3 precious grandchildren: Heather, Lauren and Austin, whom he adored. He is also survived by an enormous cavalcade of friends, throughout this country and the world, who take comfort in the vast array of memories and stories about “Good Old Charlie Brown”.
He is buried in the Fairview Cemetery in Rushville, Nebraska.
Lieutenant General Charles Brown was the Tech Rodeo sponsor for many years when locals attended there.