Gerald "Jerry" Brown, 76, one of the most renowned and influential musicians to come from the state of Arizona, died Sunday, August 12, 2018, in Hereford, Arizona.
A 1964 alumnus of the ASU music program, Brown was a positive influence in the lives of countless musicians in Costa Rica, Bolivia, Panama, Ecuador, Colombia, Sierra Vista, Elgin and Douglas.
He was born in Douglas, Arizona, to Amanda Chesak and Gordon Brown. He graduated from Douglas High School, attended ASU on a French Horn scholarship and was also an excellent pianist and harpsichordist.
After graduating from ASU in 1964, he participated in the Aspen and Tanglewood festivals, played horn in the Phoenix Symphony, and left to study conducting at Juilliard. He served in the Peace Corps for five years in Bolivia (1966-1971), first as a French hornist in the National Symphony, and then as its principal conductor. He subsequently conducted throughout Latin America, settling in Costa Rica, where he conducted the National Symphony for many years and was instrumental in creating their countries' National Youth Symphony and highly successful youth music program. He toured with these groups throughout Latin America; they were also invited to the White House. Graduates of the program have gained prestigious orchestral positions worldwide, including the Metropolitan Opera. He will be remembered for his intellect, his sense of humor and his unique creative vision.
He is survived by his wife of 34 years, Patricia Morales, his son Alan (Hollie) and two grandchildren of Sierra Vista; his sister Loa Brown and nephew Peter DeLorean, both of Tempe.
Services were held.