Captain Chris Brown

Comments: 24

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Photo courtesy of the Roanoke Fire-EMS Department

Updated with funeral arrangements (15:27hrs):

Visitation will be Sunday at the Oakeys funeral home on RT 604/ Cloverdale road from 14:00-16:00 and 18:00- 20:00

The funeral will be held at 1st Baptist church downtown Roanoke at 13:00 on Monday.
Grave site will be Evergreen cemetery.

It is with a very heavy heart that I inform you of the passing of Captain Chris Brown. Chris was hired on August 2, 1994 and was the Captain at Station 1 on C-Shift. He was a second generation firefighter. His brother Mark is the Lt. on Engine 5 C-Shift and his father (deceased) retired from the department as a firefighter. His mother retired from the Roanoke City Occupational Health Clinic as an RN. Needless to say, his family has dedicated their lives to the City of Roanoke.

Please continue praying for his family, friends, and brother and sister Firefighters. Numerous Roanoke Firefighters have been placing the news and condolences on facebook as well.

The Captain had a very tight knit family at Station 1 as well as at home. You can read about his crew at station 1 on their blog here. I will add more information as it becomes available.

I have attached photos from the past years. They are from Station 1 Blog, RoanokeFirefighters.com (Mike Overacker), Maurice Wiseman, and other photographers. Click on the image for the full size view.

Comments

24 Responses to “Captain Chris Brown”
  1. Rhett and the rest of my Roanoke Brothers,

    I was just contacted by my brother, Shawn Roark (bristol va, fire, former RFD E6) and advised of the loss of Chris. It is with a heavy heart that tomorrow morning I will advise my brothers of your…our loss.

    We at SBFD will be praying for Chris’ family during this tragic loss, and for his RFD brothers as they gear up, mount their respected rig and answer the Roanoke’s cry’s for help…all the while pushing through their tears and mourning their loss.

    You are all on our minds.

  2. Marci says:

    Thanks for posting these great pictures of Chris. I have some that I will add too from our times at #6. He took good care of me when I was a rookie. What a great family man. He loved his ‘girls’ so much. He lite up ever time Stephanie walked in the room. He will be greatly missed. I can still him saying ‘hey buddy’, his greeting everytime he saw me. Buddy you will be missed. Love-Marci Stone

  3. FireFleitz says:

    Marci, If you would like me to post them you can email me at firefleitz@gmail.com.

  4. Shawn Roark says:

    We at Bristol Fire are thinking and praying for Chris’s family and all of the extended family at Roanoke Fire.
    Rest in Peace Brother

  5. Michelle Crouch says:

    Jason was just at the hospital this afternoon hugging Stephanie and then tonight we heard the devastating news. Chris was always a trooper and was an amazing firefighter, captain, friend, husband, father, and man! He showed passion in everything that he did whether it was love for his family or putting in a hard day’s work with his brothers. He is an inspiration to us all. I remember when Jason and I went to the race with him and his family and when he had to sit on the frozen peas in the fire truck because he was too stubborn to stay home from work! He was a fighter and would take the shirt off of his back to help out a friend. He had a smile that would just light up his face and make everyone else smile in return! He will be greatly missed but never forgotten. We will keep his girls in our hearts and prayers.

  6. Jeff Marvin says:

    My thoughts and prayers are with the family…I am not a firefighter but I give you guys all the respect for what you do.

  7. Fifty Seven says:

    Chris Brown- He will be riding that Grumman in the sky. On earth, you couldn’t find a better guy.
    In the hay loft he did sleep. So many memories from 3, I will keep. On his coat tail, we did ride. He and Terry King taught us to fight fire with pride. He spoke of iron men and wooden ladders from RFD’s past. A flag spelling; Honor and Bravery flew from E 3′s mast. Those words fit Chris to a “T”.
    Some of him, helped mold me. He was a family man that is for sure. Dedicated, honest, and he had a heart that was pure. There are so many stories that I would like to share. “Hunker Down”, “Bap Bap” and the 9 p.m. stare.
    In closing I must say, “Iron Man” should go under his name.
    He will be missed. The world won’t be the same.

    57

  8. Eddie Hite and Family says:

    To the Brown family our hearts and prayers are with you! I never saw Chris when he did not greet someone with a smile. God Bless!

  9. Ismari says:

    Sorry for your loss. Thank you to firefighters everywhere and to this Captain and his family for their sacrifice and service.

  10. Dana says:

    Hi City Guys,

    Sorry to hear about Chris, it has been bothering me since I found out he was sick on Wednesday. We have been thinking about and praying for you and his family. I had the privilege to train with Chris during rookie school, as Mark was one of the training officers at the time. I know all of you are hurting and I am praying for peace. Just know that this is hitting the County Firefighters hard too…we all knew Capt Brown and are grieving with you in this time. He will be sorely missed. Take care and God Bless! Dana Lacy

  11. Bill Cross says:

    I’ve worked with Chris for 20yrs @ Overhead Door CO. OF Roanoke and with his father and brother Mark as well another pair of great men and friends I am devastated by the passing of a very dear friend and coworker. My condolences go out with a crushed heart to the family and all his fellow Firefighters. Chris Loved his life as a Firefighter and strived to be the best there is, I think he got that fom Wayne. Chris once gave me a shirt from Station 3 because I told him that it was the coolest shirt I’d ever seen I will cherrish this shirt forever and all the memories I have of Chris. God Bless the Brown Family and all of the Firefighters who risk their lives for the saftey of perfect strangers. With all the Love from the deepest depths of my broken Heart. I Love You Chris.

  12. Todd McFall says:

    I wish to give my deepest love to the Brown family. Chris was a great man. He taught me alot during my time with him and Capt. King at station 3. You couldn’t ask for a better crew to work with during those days. Jason Crouch, Adam Fleming, Justin Hines, Chris Decker, Mike Smith, Terry and Chris. As so many have said, Chris loved his family, his co-workers, and his job. Chris was a good friend and mentor. He always greeted you with a smile and handshake. You touched us all in so many ways. I will miss you brother. May God bless you and your family during this difficult time. Todd McFall

  13. Ed Johnson says:

    Rest in Peace, Brother. Thoughts and prayers sent to his family and friends from over here at the City PD.

  14. Brian Conner says:

    Chris is truely a special person. We have truely lost a GREAT one. He will forever be missed. I pray for his family and friends. I will cherish the great memories of being able to work side by side with him, call him my Captain, but most of all I am honored to call him a true friend and family. He taught us all to always be a good person and to take care of our family and friends. I pray that you will always shine down on us and help guide us.We all love you !

    Brian Conner

  15. David Bocock says:

    Chris’ love for his family, the Department, the job , and his crew was paramount. He was one of the best Captains that I have work with during my career and it was a great pleasure to work with Chris. He has inspired countless of people within our department as well as from other departments. There was nothing that he wouldn’t ask of his crew to do that he would not do himself. he had a smile and and laugh that was infectious and it would always make make smile a little bit too. I always enjoyed gettin my “Hey Big Bo” first thing in the morning as we were comng on shift. I will truely miss him, his knowledge, and his encouragement. Captain Brown we love you and we will continue to do the job that you have taught and inspired so many of us to do. Rest in Peace my friend..

    Big Bo

  16. Becky Smith says:

    Captain Brown taught me what the true meaning of the Brotherhood and Sisterhood was. To me he is a true hero and a great role model for all. We knew where he stood and what he stood for. Capt. would be the first one to offer to help you with anything and if you went to someone else first you’d get: “Why didn’t you call me?” (and then the Crhis Brown scour) He made sure we understood that family comes first, home and firehouse families. The man would give you the shirt off his back.

    Captain know that we love you dearly and we will miss you. You can be sure that we will take care of “the girls”. You have left a legacy, you will be one who is talked about for years to come. I consider it an honor to say that you were my Captain.

  17. Gina Phelps says:

    I am sad to hear the news of Chris’ passing. He was a good guy. My prayers go out to his family.

  18. Chris Decker says:

    I met Chris 20 some years ago at a Patrick Henry HS party. I never knew him well until reuniting with him through the Fire Department. Over the years we formed a bond that continued to grow. The last few years that bond turned into a true and solid friendship. We worked together, we laughed together, and now we will cry together. He was truly a great leader and friend. We will miss him deeply. The department as a whole has lost a true leader, friend, and mentor. In time we will adapt and overcome, but for now we will remember and cherish his memories. Our prayers go out to the friends and both families that Captain Brown leaves behind. Thanks Captain for everything, it means alot.

    Chris Decker

  19. beth says:

    Regardless of how well you do or don’t know someone, it still hurts your heart. Peace and prayers to Chris’ family and to the entire brotherhood. My husband is one and I thank God every day he comes home safe. Peace.

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