BOWIE, MARYLAND - Gerald (Jerry) Linwood Brown, 85, passed away peacefully on March 11, 2018 at his home in Bowie, Maryland, after a courageous battle with prostate cancer. His wife and three sons were at his side. Jerry was born on July 13, 1932 in Corinna, Maine to Aubrey L. Brown and Empress S. Biggar. Jerry’s childhood was filled with music and wonder during simpler times on a rural farm in Corinna. He graduated from Corinna Union Academy, Corinna, Maine in 1951.

After high school, Jerry joined the Navy in 1951 and served five years. He attended The Navy School of Music, served with honor during the Korean War and attained the position of First Trumpet in the Navy Band. Jerry used the GI Bill to attend The Northern Conservatory of Music in Bangor, Maine where he received a Bachelor of Music. Later Jerry attended The University of Maine, Orono, Maine where he received a Master of Education (plus 15 credits toward his PhD).

Following his passion for music, Jerry became a teacher and band director at elementary, middle and high schools in Maine (1956-1967), Ohio (1967-1973) as well as Maryland (1973-1996). Through the years, Jerry also gave private music instrument lessons. After a lifetime of inspiring students to appreciate music, Jerry retired from Anne Arundel County Public Schools in 1996.

Jerry married the love of his life, Heidi Hooven of Ohio, on June 28, 1957 in Corinna, Maine. They enjoyed nearly 61 years of marriage and raised three sons, Gordon, Jeff and Tony as well as the family dog, Misty. The family summered a number of years on Sebasticook Lake, Newport, Maine, and travelled several times across America in a pop-up camper. Jerry and Heidi together enjoyed life, pursued a passion for adventure as well as made memories with their family, grand-dogs and good friends. In retirement, Jerry and Heidi travelled America by motorhome and enjoyed international travel to Europe, Australia and New Zealand.

Jerry was preceded by parents Aubrey and Empress; older brother and wife, Aubrey (Bud) and Joy; and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.

Jerry is survived by his wife Heidi of Bowie, Maryland; three sons and their wives: Gordon and Sheila of Seabrook, Texas, Jeff and Peg of Naples, Maine as well as Tony and Adrienne of Cumberland Center, Maine; younger brother and his wife, Perry and Colleen; step-grandson Paul; granddaughters April, Shannon and Erin; step-great-granddaughter Charlotte; great-granddaughter Empress; nieces Heather and Alana; and numerous cousins.

A remembrance and celebration of life for Jerry occurred at his Bowie home on April 28 and another will take place in Hulls Cove, Maine on August 12, near Acadia National Park. A private internment will follow on August 13 at Ledgelawn Cemetery, Bar Harbor, Maine.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made to ZERO-The End of Prostate Cancer, 515 King Street, Suite 420, Alexandria, VA 22314, www.zerocancer.org.

Condolences may be left on the ‘Gerald Brown’ online guest book at www.jordanfernald.com.