Richard Brown lll
Welcome to Brown Legacy Memorial. My name is Richard Brown III, and I am deeply honored for the opportunity to serve this community with compassion, dignity, and care.
As the son of the late Reverend Richard O. Brown, Jr., I was blessed to witness firsthand his unwavering love for people and his dedication to serving others. My father’s life was a testament to kindness, humility, and commitment, and his legacy inspires me every day.
It is my promise to you that I will uphold that same love and dedication he exemplified before me. At Brown Legacy Memorial, every family we serve will be treated with the utmost respect and care, as we honor the lives and legacies of your loved ones.
Thank you for allowing us the privilege to walk alongside you during life’s most challenging moments.
My Story
Born and raised in Toledo, Ohio, Richard Brown III comes from a legacy of service. His father, the late Reverend Richard Brown Jr., was an ordained minister in the Church of God in Christ, and his mother, Teresa Tate Brown, served as the first African-American female Postmaster in Lucas County, Ohio with the United States Postal Service. From a young age, Richard knew his future would be rooted in serving others, a calling that was nurtured through his involvement in ministry and community work. His journey into funeral services began when his uncle, the late Robert Tate Jr., opened a funeral home in 1989.
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Richard worked at funerals on weekends and during summers, and it was in his
senior year of high school that he realized his calling to become a funeral director and own his own funeral home. Richard pursued his education at Morehouse College, earning a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Accounting in May of 1996. He then worked in the auditing field for Wachovia Bank in Atlanta, Georgia. However, following the sudden passing of his father in 1998, Richard felt a deep pull to return to Toledo. Back in his hometown, he worked for Mass Mutual and later became a Staff Auditor for
the Toledo City Council.
Much like his father, Richard is an ordained minister, dedicating himself to serving marginalized and vulnerable communities. When he faced an unexpected career change, it took time to find his next steps, but Richard’s determination never wavered. In 2013, Richard returned to academia, earning a Master of Science in Criminal Justice from Bowling Green State University and a Master of Legal Studies from Washington University School of Law in St. Louis. He is currently completing his dissertation at Bowling Green State University. The death of his uncle in 2021, a loss brought on by COVID-19, reignited Richard’s passion for funeral services.
Under the mentorship of John Castillo of Castillo Funeral Home, he continued his professional growth, building a close relationship that remains strong today. Richard’s vision for Brown Legacy Memorial is to create a lasting institution in the Toledo community, one that stands as a benchmark for compassionate, culturally sensitive service. He hopes to pass this legacy down through his family for generations to come.