Obituary for James Marcus ""Mark"" Brown
James Marcus Brown
April 25, 1946 – November 28, 2021
James (Mark) Marcus Brown, passed away on November 28, 2021 at the age of 75. Mark was born April 25, 1946 in Rutherford County and was raised as the only child of James and Lucille Brown. Mark was married to Tammy Ward Gordon of Macon, GA in 1995.
Mark graduated from East Rutherford High School, Forest City, NC in 1964. Having earned a scholarship for his athletic achievements in tennis, he attended Davidson College in Davidson, NC, class of 1968 having earned a BA in English; he also studied at Oxford University, Oxford England. He received a Masters in English from Gardner-Webb University of Boiling Springs, NC as well as his teaching certifications for the state of North Carolina.
Mark served his country in the Vietnam War in the US Navy After his time in the military, he worked an array of jobs. He served as editor for Duke Power Company newsletter, a journalist for several organizations, including the Charlotte Observer, assisted in writing documentaries and worked in advertising. In the late 1970’s he pursued a career in professional tennis, spending time as both a player and an instructor. He left this career behind him shortly after marrying Tammy and taking on her four rambunctious children. Mark returned to Forest City in 1995 to be close to his aging parents and chose to pursue his passion in education.
He was always extremely dedicated to his career in teaching and took a significant amount of pride in furthering the education of the next generations, and properly preparing students for the expectations of the real world. Many a student would return to tell him that his classes were the ones that had best prepared them for college and the real world beyond. He was a true educator and strived to impart his knowledge to his students in a way that would engage active and critical thinking. He challenged his students to take on different viewpoints and to question the meanings behind their interpretations of literature and the English language. Mark also coached the RS Central High School women’s and men’s tennis teams. Combining his passion for teaching with his love of the sport, he helped many students learn to appreciate and excel at something that meant the world to him. He showed an enthusiasm that embodied what tennis meant to him and helped stoke the thrill of the game in rural NC teens. He was a coach not out of necessity but out of love of the game and a desire to share that love with anyone willing to take up a racquet.
If Mark decided you were his friend, you were a lucky human indeed. He was a faithful friend, remembering birthdays, sending newsworthy articles and calling out of the blue when you needed it most. His willingness to go the extra mile for others was exemplary, whether it be driving through several states to take care of a sick friend or just make a fabulous dinner. His joy and exuberance for life made his friendship a precious gift.
Mark was a gracious and generous host. He regularly showed off his culinary skills in the form of five-star meals that he and Tammy would prepare for guests; though not always timely, the food was always exquisite and the wine was always abundant. He had a way of talking about dishes and their preparation as though it were art, providing interesting historical and cultural insights into the foods that were prepared and adding a measure of authenticity to their enjoyment. Dinners were an event: a chance for serious discussions; for shared memories and stories; for jokes and laughter; for expressing love for the people around him. A dinner at the Brown house was one that was not to be missed.
Mark was politically and morally committed to social justice and equality, serving as the advisor of the Teen Democrats at RS Central High School during his time teaching as well as serving as the Chair of the Democratic Party for Rutherford County a number of times. He strongly believed that it was his civic duty to insure that the marginalized and disenfranchised members of our society had an advocate willing to stand up and make their voices and concerns heard. He was not afraid of debate and welcomed discussions to further educate people on the inequity of our systems. He was not afraid to go toe-to-toe with anyone in supporting equal rights for all and would not shy away from the aggressions of those who attempted to perpetuate racism, homophobia, and elitism. Mark embodied what it meant to care about your fellow human beings. He gave all of his determination and energy to further the idea that caring for others was not a sign of weakness, but rather showed the greatest strengths of compassion and love in the face of hatred. He was proud to stand for his beliefs and his family was proud to stand with him. His beliefs will continue to live on with all of the people that he has inspired to take up the banner and continue his work towards a better future.
When Mark married Tammy, she was the mother of four children for whom he became “Dad”. It is a rare man who would accept the instant responsibility of parenting four kids, but Mark relished the challenge. With the birth of Dylan, their grandson, his love of being a hands-on Dad became evident. Dylan was the apple of Mark’s eye and Mark proudly mentored him, pouring into him his special love and attention. Mark was also a dutiful son who cared for his parents in their latter years.
Mark was fully devoted to his wife and children and made sure that they always knew that they were loved and valued. His love for his wife Tammy was the kind that poets dream of having as their muse; absolute, unflinching, unquestionable. His patience with his children was akin to that of a saint and they loved him dearly for being there for them in all of their triumphs and tribulations. The love that he shared with, and received from, his family was his greatest joy. Mark brought a unique balance to his family in his ability to be realistic and at the same time supportive of all of their endeavors with a love that was palpable. He will always be remembered for his love and kindness as well as his sense of humor (sometimes dark) and quick wit. The world is a little darker for his passing, but will forever be brightened by his love that lives on through his family and the memories that he helped create.
Mark is survived by his beloved wife, Tammy Gordon-Brown; his children, Teran Gordon, Shay Gordon, Landon Gordon, and Cody Gordon; and his grandson, Dylan Clark-Gordon.
In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorials be made to: Planned Parenthood at weareplannedparenthood.org, to continue support of vital health services for women and men or to the Rutherford County Backpack Program for food insecure students. Donations made be made online through their website, or checks may be made out to RCSEF with Backpack Program in the "for" line and mailed to Lisa Bralley, 382 W. Main Street, Forest City N.C. 28043
April 25, 1946 – November 28, 2021
James (Mark) Marcus Brown, passed away on November 28, 2021 at the age of 75. Mark was born April 25, 1946 in Rutherford County and was raised as the only child of James and Lucille Brown. Mark was married to Tammy Ward Gordon of Macon, GA in 1995.
Mark graduated from East Rutherford High School, Forest City, NC in 1964. Having earned a scholarship for his athletic achievements in tennis, he attended Davidson College in Davidson, NC, class of 1968 having earned a BA in English; he also studied at Oxford University, Oxford England. He received a Masters in English from Gardner-Webb University of Boiling Springs, NC as well as his teaching certifications for the state of North Carolina.
Mark served his country in the Vietnam War in the US Navy After his time in the military, he worked an array of jobs. He served as editor for Duke Power Company newsletter, a journalist for several organizations, including the Charlotte Observer, assisted in writing documentaries and worked in advertising. In the late 1970’s he pursued a career in professional tennis, spending time as both a player and an instructor. He left this career behind him shortly after marrying Tammy and taking on her four rambunctious children. Mark returned to Forest City in 1995 to be close to his aging parents and chose to pursue his passion in education.
He was always extremely dedicated to his career in teaching and took a significant amount of pride in furthering the education of the next generations, and properly preparing students for the expectations of the real world. Many a student would return to tell him that his classes were the ones that had best prepared them for college and the real world beyond. He was a true educator and strived to impart his knowledge to his students in a way that would engage active and critical thinking. He challenged his students to take on different viewpoints and to question the meanings behind their interpretations of literature and the English language. Mark also coached the RS Central High School women’s and men’s tennis teams. Combining his passion for teaching with his love of the sport, he helped many students learn to appreciate and excel at something that meant the world to him. He showed an enthusiasm that embodied what tennis meant to him and helped stoke the thrill of the game in rural NC teens. He was a coach not out of necessity but out of love of the game and a desire to share that love with anyone willing to take up a racquet.
If Mark decided you were his friend, you were a lucky human indeed. He was a faithful friend, remembering birthdays, sending newsworthy articles and calling out of the blue when you needed it most. His willingness to go the extra mile for others was exemplary, whether it be driving through several states to take care of a sick friend or just make a fabulous dinner. His joy and exuberance for life made his friendship a precious gift.
Mark was a gracious and generous host. He regularly showed off his culinary skills in the form of five-star meals that he and Tammy would prepare for guests; though not always timely, the food was always exquisite and the wine was always abundant. He had a way of talking about dishes and their preparation as though it were art, providing interesting historical and cultural insights into the foods that were prepared and adding a measure of authenticity to their enjoyment. Dinners were an event: a chance for serious discussions; for shared memories and stories; for jokes and laughter; for expressing love for the people around him. A dinner at the Brown house was one that was not to be missed.
Mark was politically and morally committed to social justice and equality, serving as the advisor of the Teen Democrats at RS Central High School during his time teaching as well as serving as the Chair of the Democratic Party for Rutherford County a number of times. He strongly believed that it was his civic duty to insure that the marginalized and disenfranchised members of our society had an advocate willing to stand up and make their voices and concerns heard. He was not afraid of debate and welcomed discussions to further educate people on the inequity of our systems. He was not afraid to go toe-to-toe with anyone in supporting equal rights for all and would not shy away from the aggressions of those who attempted to perpetuate racism, homophobia, and elitism. Mark embodied what it meant to care about your fellow human beings. He gave all of his determination and energy to further the idea that caring for others was not a sign of weakness, but rather showed the greatest strengths of compassion and love in the face of hatred. He was proud to stand for his beliefs and his family was proud to stand with him. His beliefs will continue to live on with all of the people that he has inspired to take up the banner and continue his work towards a better future.
When Mark married Tammy, she was the mother of four children for whom he became “Dad”. It is a rare man who would accept the instant responsibility of parenting four kids, but Mark relished the challenge. With the birth of Dylan, their grandson, his love of being a hands-on Dad became evident. Dylan was the apple of Mark’s eye and Mark proudly mentored him, pouring into him his special love and attention. Mark was also a dutiful son who cared for his parents in their latter years.
Mark was fully devoted to his wife and children and made sure that they always knew that they were loved and valued. His love for his wife Tammy was the kind that poets dream of having as their muse; absolute, unflinching, unquestionable. His patience with his children was akin to that of a saint and they loved him dearly for being there for them in all of their triumphs and tribulations. The love that he shared with, and received from, his family was his greatest joy. Mark brought a unique balance to his family in his ability to be realistic and at the same time supportive of all of their endeavors with a love that was palpable. He will always be remembered for his love and kindness as well as his sense of humor (sometimes dark) and quick wit. The world is a little darker for his passing, but will forever be brightened by his love that lives on through his family and the memories that he helped create.
Mark is survived by his beloved wife, Tammy Gordon-Brown; his children, Teran Gordon, Shay Gordon, Landon Gordon, and Cody Gordon; and his grandson, Dylan Clark-Gordon.
In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorials be made to: Planned Parenthood at weareplannedparenthood.org, to continue support of vital health services for women and men or to the Rutherford County Backpack Program for food insecure students. Donations made be made online through their website, or checks may be made out to RCSEF with Backpack Program in the "for" line and mailed to Lisa Bralley, 382 W. Main Street, Forest City N.C. 28043