Dr. Jesse Alphonso "Al" Brown, was born November 5, 1944, in Louisville, Kentucky. He returned to his heavenly Father on Thursday, November 10, 2016. Al was raised in the West End of Louisville and attended Western Junior High School in its first integrated class. He graduated from Central High School in 1962 and graduated from Wilberforce University and LaSalle University. Along the way he attended Yale University and Detroit College of Law.
Al started his professional career in Detroit, Michigan at the Ford Motor company leaving there as the supervisor of Labor Relations and Hourly personnel. While in Detroit, he also worked as Personal Director of Motown Industries under Berry and Fuller Gordy. He co-founded a successful national management consulting firm, Brown, Burke and Associates and Brown Consulting.
Upon returning to Louisville, Al won the Republican primary for the U.S. congress but lost in the general election to an 11 term incumbent in 1990. He was elected to become the first African American Jefferson County Republican Party Chairman and was a charter member of the Kentucky Lottery serving as Chairman for one term. He also served on many boards including the Salvation Army, KY Center for the Arts and Actors Theatre.
Until Multiple Sclerosis halted his efforts, Al was a nationally ranked 5 gaited amateur horse rider under Premier Stables. Al has been a devoted Christian most of his life. He taught Sunday School at First Virginia Avenue Baptist Church and also at St. Stephens Baptist Church where he also served as Chairman of the Trustee Board. Al was baptized in his adult life at Southeast Christian Church where he remained an active member until his death. Al was preceded in death by his wife Linda Diane Sharp, his mother, Mattie Wilson, his father Albert J. Brown, and his step-father William Wilson.
Al is survived by his four children, Monica Brown Galeana (Mario), Eric A. Brown (Tamara), Jessica Brown Billy (Ronald) and T. Mackenzie Brown, a host of grandchildren, his sisters Mary Rose Traylor and Sherida Vidan and a host of nieces, nephew and cousins who all loved him.
"I have been up and I have been down. I've learned to be content regardless in all situations". Al Brown
Visitation will be 10am - 12pm Wednesday, November 16, 2016 at Southeast Christian Church, 920 Blankenbaker Parkway, Louisville, Ky. followed by a celebration of Al's life at 12pm. Burial will be in Cave Hill Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to the Multiple Sclerosis Society.
To leave a special message for the family, please use the "Share Memories" button.