Robert Lee "Bob" Brown

Robert Lee “Bob” Brown, 91, of Barrett, West Virginia, passed away peacefully on Saturday, November 1, 2025. He was born on March 22, 1934, in Plymouth, WV to Everett and Mabel Childers Brown. Predeceased by his loving wife of 54 years, Mary Sue Brown, he is survived by his daughters and their spouses, Susan and Rich Hottle, Julie and Johnny McClure, grandsons Robbie, Jordan, John Reed and great grandchildren Sophia and Jackson. He was a Christian of the Methodist faith. Bob was a true statesman that loved his family and was honored to serve his community.

A 1952 graduate of Sherman High School, Bob was a four-year letterman. He was Captain of the Basketball Team and Co-Captain of the Football Team where he received MVP honors for both. In 1952, Bob received a scholarship to play football at Morris Harvey College (MHC), now known as the University of Charleston. While at MHC, Bob was named Team Captain, Team MVP and received All-American and All-Conference honors. He was a member of the 1954 WVIAC Championship Team and played in the 1954 Elks Bowl, Shrine Bowl and 1955 Cigar Bowl. He also played on MHC’s Basketball and Baseball Teams. He graduated in 1956 and was inducted into the University of Charleston Sports Hall of Fame in 2012.

In 1955, Bob married his high school sweetheart, Mary Sue Williams. In 1956, they started their life together in Barrett, West Virginia where he was a Science and P.E. teacher at Wharton Jr. High School through 1964. He coached the Wharton Football and Basketball teams and later served as a referee in the region.

Although he loved being involved in athletics, his true passion was being an educator and serving his community. In addition to Wharton Jr. High, he was a Homebound Teacher, an Instructor at the Southern Community College and taught General Educational Development (GED) classes so coal miners could receive a diploma and qualify for jobs. He was also a Boy Scouts of America Scoutmaster for Troop #208. In 1964, he was honored as an outstanding citizen in the community when the newly formed chapter of the National Junior Honor Society of Secondary Schools was named the “Bob Brown Chapter.” He later helped form the Wharton-Barrett Public Library.

Bob joined Eastern Gas & Fuel company in 1964 as Recreational Director and Assistant Camp Director at Camp Thomas E. Lightfoot in Summers County, WV. He was named Camp Director in 1979. Camp Lightfoot was a special place for children of coal company employees to attend a two-week long summer camp. Lightfoot provided students nutritious meals, recreation and educational activities. Over the years, Bob was a Director, Lobbyist and Community Coordinator for Eastern Associated Coal, Peabody Coal and Patriot Coal companies.

Bob was dedicated to the betterment of Boone County and his local community. For 25 years, Bob served as President of the Wharton – Barrett Little League, Senior League and Babe Ruth Baseball programs. The Little League field is named the “Robert L. Brown Field” as recognition to his commitment to the community.

He was grateful for his community’s effort in assisting the flood victims of the 1972 Buffalo Creek Disaster. He and his peers were one of the first volunteer groups to assist in evacuating victims. Bob helped establish an emergency red cross facility at Wharton Jr. High School.

Bob served on the Boone County Board of Education for thirteen years with a focus on continuing educational opportunities in the Pond Fork region and ensuring that Van Jr. Sr. High School had state of the art classrooms and facilities. He continued throughout his life to serve on vital committees, boards and organizations including the Boone County Executive Committee, Boone County United Way, Wharton Elementary PTA, High Schools That Work Committee, Wharton Local School Improvement Council, United School Improvement Council, a 35-year member of the Men’s Service Club, a 30-year member of the Lion’s Club where he served as President and Secretary, and a 21-year chairperson of the Academic Quiz Bowl. He also served as Board President of the Hygeia Facilities Foundation. In 2010, he was given the honor of West Virginia Coal Festival Grand Marshal.

From 1987 to his death, Bob was a member of the Boone Memorial Hospital (BMH) Board of Trustees, now known as Boone Memorial Health, where he once served as President. For 38 years, he was a part of BMH’s transformation to one of the most technologically advanced independent rural hospitals in the nation. He was incredibly proud to be a small part of such a valuable service to the Boone County community in which he dedicated his life. In appreciation to his years served, BMH’s “Outstanding Service Employee of the Year Award” is named in Bob’s honor.

On July 23, 2022, Bob was honored during the WV Sports Hall of Fame as a “West Virginia Historical Giant” with a “legacy for being one of the all-time great people in West Virginia.” Bob’s life story of service and dedication is enshrined in the Artie Museum located in Raleigh County, WV.

He was a proud West Virginian and respected by all. A gentle giant that loved his family and serving his community. He will be greatly missed by his friends and loved ones that he touched with his generosity, dedication, respect and honor.

A visitation will be held at Handley Funeral Home, located at 439 Phipps Ave., Danville, WV 25053 on November 14, 2025, from 12:00 – 1:30 for family and BMH Staff and 1:30 to 5:00 for public. The funeral will be at Handley Funeral Home on November 15, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. Graveside service will take place at 1:30 p.m. in the Graceland Mausoleum located at 100 Graceland Circle, South Charleston, WV 25309.

The family would like to thank the medical staff and administrators at Boone Memorial Health for their excellent care, patience and kindness. In lieu of flowers, please provide donations to the Boone Memorial Health Foundation. Please contact Ray Harrell at (304) 400-5339 for more information.