Clarence Edward Brown, Master Chief Musician, US Navy

Clarence Edward Brown, 86, of Pensacola, Florida, passed away on June 26, 2025. Born in Chillicothe, Ohio, on January 14, 1939, he lived a life devoted to faith, family, and service to his country.

He served in the U.S. Navy for 23 years, retiring as Master Chief Musician (MUCM). His assignments took him across the U.S. and overseas, and he received several honors, including the Joint Service Commendation Medal and the Humanitarian Service Medal.

Clarence also led church music ministries wherever he was stationed, including aboard the USS Forrestal. After retiring from the Navy, he continued his service as a civilian at Naval Aviation Schools Command in Pensacola for 20 more years. As the first civilian Director of the Officer Candidate School Performing Units, he mentored future naval leaders and received the Navy Meritorious Civilian Service Award.

He was preceded in death by his parents, James Edward Brown and Irene Elizabeth Cook Brown; his sister, Patricia Brown; and his son, Michael Brown.

He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Nadina Squartsoff Brown, children James Brown (Jody), Cynthia Tunstall (Michael), and Lynnette Salce (Daniel) seven grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.

LINKS:

Clarence Edward Brown Obituary - The Pensacola News Journal (obituary)

Clarence Brown (video of funeral service)

Reflections by Dick Bergren, (Choir Director 1979-81)
I had served as interim director of the Band and Flag Pageant for three months before Clarence arrived, so I was able to assist him getting started in his new career as a Navy Civilian. I remember teaching him about the 11 different historic uniforms worn by the Flag Pageant "Periodicals".  One uniform had 65 buttons to remove and then replace after it came back from the dry cleaners.  He made good use of Pool Ensigns to assist with those tasks.  He was also always on the lookout for Pool Ensigns who could play a band instrument that he could use as "ringers" in the AOC Band.  There were often many comments about how good the band sounded following a Friday Commissioning Parade ceremony.

A number of our Alumni Choir members were in the band or the flag pageant as both AOC's and some later as ringers.  I would sometimes play my trumpet in his band, and I know that others did as well, including John Roberts, Ed Park, and Larry Zimmerman to name a few.  Beth (Hubert) Rooney and Dave Scott were in the Flag Pageant.

Clarence worked closely with Directors of the Naval Air Training Command Choir (later called the Naval Aviation Choir) - sometimes in joint performances and on a number of occasions, he acted as interim Command Choir Director.
He had a great singing voice, and on one occasion, we formed a quartet to sing at a Schools Command Christmas party!