James Bernard Brown

A Life Well Played A life Well Played James or Jim Bernard Brown had many names. His Grandmother (Granny), Mother, Aunts Josephine & Bernice and Sisters would all call him "BB". Jim or BB was born in Chicago's Illinois (Westside). Jim was the second of 4 children. Jim was the only male in the home after his father leaving the family at an early age. Jim had the love and protection of his maternal grandmother, his mother, his aunt, Bernice, and his sisters. Jim attended Crane Tech High school a vocational high school in West Chicago. Jim was a stand-out athlete while attending Crane Tech. He was an All-City decorated player in basketball. His ability to jump out of the gym allowed him to play the center position at 6'2". Jim's nickname was "Pea Head" because he jumped so high his head looked like a little "Pea" while in the air his friends would observe. He also played football and participated in track n field. Chicago was, and still is, a very harsh and dangerous place to live. Through the love and guidance of his family and mentors, Jim was able to make the momentous decision to accept an athletic scholarship to Santa Barbara Jr. College in California. It would be Jim's first time to California or really leaving the State of Illinois for that matter. He knew no one and set off on the journey that would shape so many lives. It was a culture shock for a young African American male from the inner city of Chicago. The bright sunshine, Pacific Ocean, and palm trees were all but enough to convince Jim he would never go back to Chicago to live. His new home would be California. After completing Santa Barbara Jr College Jim was offered an athletic scholarship to San Francisco State University. It was at this time Jim pledged to the Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity. Jim was a physical education major (Kinesiology) student. Jim participated in track n' field as well as basketball and football while at S.F. State. Jim's ability to Jump allowed him to set a record of 6'11" at S.F. State breaking Johnny Mathisis's previous Record. This record stood for quite some time and was broken in the late 80's some 20 years later. Jim was also a member of the AAU and participated in many events. Track and Field gave him the opportunity to travel to West Africa. This trip changed Jim's life. It gave him a true view of the power and beauty of his African ancestry. During this time Jim was befriended by many African Americans in the world of sports and entertainment. Ralph McDonald, Harry Belefonte, Nancy Wilson, Willie Hector where some of the people Jim met on his life journey. While attending San Francisco State Jim met and married his first only wife Joyce Loggins. They soon had 3 children, Pam, Roger, and Alecia. Jim graduated from San Francisco State University in 1966 with a degree in physical education. Jim's first job was for the Job Core in Pleasanton California teaching. While working a Job Core Jim and Joyce moved their family to Milpitas CA. In the late 60's. While working at Job Core Jim learned to ride horses. This fascination with the cowboy life style and horses never left Jim. Cowboys and horses was something Jim never dreamed of while growing up in Chicago. He would later revisit this lifestyle after his retirement. While in Milpitas Jim continued to keep in contact with many of his AAU track and field contemporaries at San Jose State like Tommy Smith, Bob Pointer, Lee Evans, John Carlos and Ph.D. Harry Edwards. The sense of community always seems to be an important part of Jim's life. After Jim's stint at Job Core Jim landed his first official coaching job as an assistant coach at Castlemont High school in Oakland CA. Castlemont High School was and is an awesome school with high-caliber students and athletes. The coaching staff taught Jim many valuable lessons. Coach Flowers and Coach Dave Shigamatsu taught Jim many of the finer points of coaching high school athletics. Many top athletes came out of the Castlemont program names like Brady Allen (Cal Basketball), Milton Turner (Record Holder). After His several years coaching at Castlemont Jim had the opportunity to be the head coach at Oakland Technical High School. Jim when on to coach track n field, football and teach in the classroom. He later became an athletic director as well as a coach and teacher. Oakland Tech was full of hard-working students and athletes. Basketball became a focal point for the school as they produced many high-level high school division 1 talent. Names like Wolf Perry, Ricky Henderson (Baseball), Northern "Doc" Shavers, Ricky Hill, Wayne McCally, Robert Martin, Byron Williams, Leon Powe, and so many others. Oakland Tech won the prestigious Tournament Of Champions Basketball Tournament in 1974. This was high water make for the team, the school, and the community. Jim decided to further his education and attended the University of Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. While attending Cal Poly Jim obtained his master's degree in education. This degree would allow him to further his career and teach as well as coach at the college level. Jim became an assistant coach to Eddie Hart at Alameda Junior College. Jim coached both men's and women's track n field. Jim would go on to teach at Laney College in Oakland as well. All during this time Jim would spend time on the Panhellenic Council and serve in the Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity. He and the Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity would host an annual Christmas Toy Drive at DeFremery Park community in Oakland. Jim was always keen to lend a helping hand to his fellow neighbors and community. Jim kept right on working even after his retirement from Oakland Unified Public Schools. In his retirement, he would substitute teach and mentor at juvenile hall. He always mentors the youth in Jenvinule during the summers while the public school system was out on summer break. Jim loved to travel and stay active. His many hobbies included cars, music, dancing, horses, golf. This is but a brief glimpse into a remarkable life. A life he could have not imagined as a young African American youth growing up in West Chicago. He left his mark on all those who knew and loved him. You will be missed but never forgotten as your spirit lives on in all those you've touched. Preceded in death grandma, Alice Watkins, mother, Emma Jean Brown, aunt Bernice, aunt Josephine and aunt Katie May, and sisters, JoAnn, Louis, and Ann Sylvia. And he leaves behind, Pam, Roger, Alecia, and Tonya, nephew, Anthony Jenkins, grandchildren, Jihane and Jamel Rose Sr., wife, Mary, and great grandchildren, Jamel, Jr. and Jru. Thank You & I Love You, Dad Your Son Roger Brown

James Bernard Brown

August 4, 1939 - June 14, 2021

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James Bernard Brown

August 4, 1939 - June 14, 2021

365 Days of Grief Support

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