HERMAN J. BROWN, JR. – Obituary
Herman J Brown, Jr. was born to the late Herman J and Virginia Brown in Philadelphia, PA. He was a student in the Philadelphia Public School system completing Elementary, Junior High and High School there. He then went to college in Ohio at Central State University, graduating with a degree in sales marketing and computer science. He then enlisted in the US Army. While in the Army he traveled the world and was awarded various metals and awards. It was while he was stationed in Germany, he gained one of his most valued titles, dad. Herman was released with an Honorable Discharge from the US Army in 1970. He was very proud to have served his country.
Herman was a hard worker and had many jobs, but he was a salesman at heart. He worked for Keebler Cookie Company as Sales and District Manager for over 25 years. He was proud to be the companies first African American in a Managerial role. Herman worked as a car salesman at Sloane Toyota, he also sold pharmaceutical products for a company based in Chicago and worked as a Manager at Godiva (at the airport), KFC, NordicTrack, and the United States Postal Service (USPS). Always the consummate salesman, in his later years he occasionally worked at Kohls and Macys. He was also a notary public and a letter writer. To some Herman may be most notably remembered as a DJ. He DJ’d for years at the American Legion, Weddings, block parties you name it, Sweet and Electrifying (SAE) Productions was there. In later years, he was often the host/chef for the family cook outs and pool parties. He loved to cook and even would make his famous sweet potato pies and deliver them to everyone in the neighborhood.
Herman was loved by everyone and had a personality that would draw you in. He was the type of person who never met a stranger. He loved to talk about politics and the news, and he didn’t mind re-reporting every detail he’d heard to anyone who’d listen. He loved to dress and was a very fashionable man. Even when he was dressed down, he would be matched from head to toe. He developed a love for traveling while in the Army. He loved going places like Florida, Bermuda, Las Vegas or on a cruise.
The one thing Herman loved more than anything was his family. Herman met Charlette Terry. The two were inseparable and united in Marriage on October 29, 1993. The two of them loved traveling the world, going to concerts and casinos together, but the thing they loved the most is their daughter Alena Brookie Brown; In one of his final acts of love, although the strokes left him unable to speak, Herman called Charlette on her birthday and wished her a Happy Birthday. On March 20, 2023, Herman closed his eyes and gained his wings.
He was preceded in death by his parents, the late Herman and Virginia Brown; Father-in-law Parker Terry (deceased) and Mother-in-law Eva Terry (deceased) and 2 sisters-in-law, Pamela Thompson, and Addie Terry. Herman leaves to cherish his memory his wife Charlette Brown, 1 son Herman J Brown III; 2 Daughters, Jennifer Brown and Alena Brookie Brown and Sherman (His pet baby). 1 Sister Sandra Thomas; 3 Sister-in-Laws; Marcia Terry, Renee Terry, Charlene Terry, and 1 Brother-In-Law, Ernest Waugh; 1 granddaughter Sage Mercedes; 1 God-daughter, Felecia Highsmith, Cousin, Bernice Bayard and several other cousins, nieces, nephews, great nieces and great-nephews.
Relatives and friends are invited to his viewing on Saturday, April 1, 2023, from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM at the BARCLAY FUNERAL HOME, 208 Maple Street, Clayton, NJ 08312. Funeral Service at 11:00 AM at the funeral home. Interment at the Gloucester County Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Williamstown. Sign the guestbook at BarclayFuneralHome.net.