October 3, 1943 – June 27, 2025
Husband of retired local pastor Pastor Billie Lou Gillespie-Brown, Roger Henry Brown, 81, passed away peacefully on June 27, 2025, at Memorial Healthcare, Owosso, MI. leaving behind a legacy of quiet wisdom and sharp wit. Roger was the kind of man who never met a deck of cards he couldn’t master, a story he couldn’t get lost in, or an old movie or Shakespearean play he couldn’t quote by heart. He was also known for giving the world’s best bear hugs—the kind that made you feel, just for a moment, like everything was going to be okay. Whether you needed cheering up or simply walked through the door into his arms; Roger’s hugs were dependable, enveloping, and unforgettable.
Roger was born October 3, 1943, to Henry J. and Loretta M. Brown in Flint, MI. Roger attended a specialized school for his birth defect: deafness, for elementary level, but then attended the parochial school at St. Michaels Roman Catholic Church in Flint until High School. He attended Kearsley High School and graduated in 1961. Roger then attended Valparaiso Technical Institute in Indiana where he received his B.A. Later Roger earned his M.A. from the University of Michigan-Flint Campus. Both degrees were in engineering. Roger worked at GM AC Delco for 30 years following in the footprints of his parents. The assembly line he supervised always completed 100% of their assignments with 100% accuracy due to Roger’s style of leadership which focused on treating one another with kindness. Roger loved reading. In earlier years he excelled at water skiing, hiking, and scuba diving. He also loved pontoon boats, skydiving, museums and art institutes, playing cards and cribbage, and extreme rustic camping. He volunteered for the National Park Service doing trail maintenance all around the country; he was a dedicated Hospice volunteer for many decades. Roger developed a reading program: Literacy for All by gathering discarded books from the area libraries and sharing the books and magazines at the Flint and Owosso area Soup Kitchens. For decades the clients looked forward to Roger sharing his love of reading and developing long-lasting relationships.
Roger loved all his children and grandchildren: Scot, Sally and Samuel H. Brown, Michael Brown, Ann Marie Brown, Tim, Lisa, Cyrus and Conner Gillespie, Ian, Cindy, Erin (Tyler) and Ryan (Mya) Gillespie, Cera (Gillespie) and Dustin Helmkay, Meghan (Gillespie) and Drew, Dela and Al McCombs. Roger loved all their pets throughout the ages, but Billie and Dante (two of his dogs) were his favorites, Dante was truly his “ears.”
Roger will be deeply missed by his wife of 23 years, Billie Lou Gillespie-Brown. We are committed to continuing his legacy of reading by creating three “Little Lending Libraries” at the St. Louis 1st and Breckenridge United Methodist Churches where Billie Lou has been serving as Pastor with Roger at her side. Another “Little Lending Library” has been created by Drew McCombs and is installed at their retirement home in Oakley, MI. A new book club has begun at the St. Louis UMC and is called “Roger’s Book Club” in his memory.
Roger was faithfully raised in the Roman Catholic tradition. His faith was first and foremost. Roger organized the weekly St. Jospeh men’s guild at St. Michaels R.C.C. After marrying Billie Lou, he attended and served the congregations where Billie Lou was appointed: Henderson-Chapin UMC’s, West Vienna UMC-Clio, and St. Louis 1st and Breckenridge UMC’s. Roger was deeply loved at these churches.
He was preceded in death by a beloved circle of family and friends who, we like to think, were ready and waiting with open arms. He leaves behind family, friends, and lucky acquaintances—who are forever changed by knowing him. Whether through a shared laugh, a well-worn book recommendation, or a quick but devastating euchre win, Roger made his mark in the most thoughtful way. With the richest soul and the most open heart, Roger showed us how to live simply and generously. His legacy will carry on in dog-eared pages, in every loner hand played with confidence—and in every embrace that tries (and fails) to match one of his.
To those who knew him, the American Sign Language slang sign for ‘I Love You’ will forever be a reminder of his warmth, his kindness and his lasting love.
Per his request, no services will be held. If you’d like to honor his memory, please consider donating to your local public arts venture—or pass a loved book onto someone else to share the story. A life well lived—Bravo, Brava, Bravissimo!
Last Updated on May 11, 2026