Charles Dwayne Brown

April 5, 1939 - December 31, 2019

Charles D. Brown of Redlands, California, passed away peacefully just before midnight on New Year’s Eve 2019, after a long battle with cancer. Charles was born on April 5, 1939 in Wichita, Kansas to Charles Ernest and Dorothy B. Brown. He was the eldest of their two children. Charlie’s sister, Kay Krahner, passed away in 2008. In 1945, the family moved to Aurora, Colorado, where he attended Aurora Junior High School and, in 1956, relocated to Southern California. Charlie graduated from Ventura High School in 1957. Charlie’s lifelong dream was to become a pharmacist, and he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in pharmacy from The University of Colorado Boulder in 1964. Charlie opened his own pharmacy in Santa Barbara, California in 1965. He served as president of the California Pharmacy Association (CPHA) from 1975-1976, the youngest to be elected at that time. Charlie was instrumental in starting Hospice Care in Santa Barbara. In 1980, together with colleagues at the Visiting Nurse Association, he participated in two federally-funded demonstration projects, the results of which ensured future coverage for Hospice care. More recently, Charlie became a consulting pharmacist with commitments that took him all over the United States. Charlie married the “love of his life”, Diane Brown, on October 25, 1998. They resided in Redlands, California, where they shared 21 years together filled with memories alongside family and friends. Charlie is survived by his two sons, Charles Brown and Eric Brown, and their mother, Mary Sanford. He is also survived by his wife, Diane; her five children, Julie, Kathleen, Mary, Michael, Molly, and their spouses. Together, they had 18 grandchildren and 1 great grandson. The family would like to express their gratitude to the Redlands Community Hospital Hospice, and Dr. Regan Douty for their excellent and loving care during this most difficult time. Services will be held Saturday, January 18th at First Evangelical Lutheran Church of Redlands at 11 AM. In lieu of flowers, Charlie has requested any donations be made to the First Evangelical Lutheran Church of Redlands 1207 West Cypress Ave, Redlands, CA 92373 and/or the Redlands Community Hospital Foundation 350 Terracina Blvd. Redlands, CA 92373.