Obituary: Clarence Richard "C. Richard" Brown

Clarence Richard Brown (C. Richard), age 83, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, July 24, 2019, at home with his family. The first baby born on Jan. 1, 1936, in Daytona Beach, Richard was the seventh of eight children.

He grew up in a family of little means, so he quickly learned the value of entrepreneurship and hard work. Graduating from Mainland High School, he attended the University of Florida, leaving after two years to become an electrician’s apprentice. He married the love of his life, Sarah Chaffin, in 1961. He and Sarah had two daughters, Kimberly and Courtney. 

Richard worked at Cape Kennedy during the height of the space program preparing Launch Pads 39A and 39B for Apollo missions. In the early 1970s, Richard started working for a new theme park called Walt Disney World, leading a team of more than 300 electricians to provide electrical construction for the park’s attractions.

He left Disney to start his own construction firm, building custom homes and developing several subdivisions in Central Florida that are still in existence today. An original developer of Lake Lure Village in western North Carolina, Richard, family and friends spent many happy vacations there.

Richard was a wonderful husband, father and role model of perseverance and the value of hard work for his two daughters. He was tall — 6’4” — and formidable but also compassionate and a man of faith. He loved to fish, shrimp and spend time with his family.

Richard enjoyed regaling any group with stories of his many adventures in life. He had a great sense of humor and never let any setback get him down. Throughout his life, he helped many friends just getting started in business which gave him great joy.

Above all, he will be remembered for his unconditional love for his family, providing a source of strength and positivity throughout their lives.

In addition to his parents, John Edgar and Ruby Jean Brown, Richard was predeceased by his seven brothers and sisters.

Survivors include his wife of 58 years, Sarah; his daughters, Kimberly (Steve) Swann, of Atlantic Beach, Florida, and Courtney Brown, of New York City; along with many great friends from his years in Daytona Beach, Windermere and DeBary.

The Brown family would like to thank the staff at Anthem Lakes and Community Hospice for their great care. The family plans to celebrate his life in a private memorial.