Dr. Ted Brown

Dr. Ted Brown, 65, passed away May 20, 2017. He graduated from West Virginia Wesleyan College in 1973 with a degree in Philosophy. Ted went on to earn his Master of Divinity and Doctor of Philosophy in Higher Education Administration at Vanderbilt University. He also conducted post-doctoral work at Harvard University. Following Ted's graduation from Wesleyan, he served as an Admissions Counselor, then Assistant Director of Admissions at the College. Jay Rockefeller tapped Ted as Director of Volunteer Programs during his gubernatorial campaign in 1975-76 in West Virginia. Ted then served as Assistant Dean and Director of Development at Vanderbilt Divinity School and was ordained a Deacon in the United Methodist Church in 1979. Ted's next position as Director of Development led him to Centre College in Danville, Kentucky, then he became Vice President for Development at Presbyterian College in Clinton, South Carolina. Ted's tenure as the 30th President of Martin Methodist College started in the spring of 1998 and lasted until his retirement on January 31, 2017. Shortly after retirement, he assumed the position as Interim Associate General Secretary for Higher Education of the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry in Nashville. Ted offered his leadership skills to the South Central Tennessee Workforce Development Board. In 2014, Ted completed his three-year term as Chair of the Council of Presidents of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA). He served on the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry Board of Directors as Vice President for the Division of Higher Education. He was voted as President of the International Association of Schools, Colleges, and Universities (IAMSCU), influencing Methodist institutions all around the globe and creating study abroad opportunities for Martin Methodist College. Ted grew up in the Methodist church, filling a variety of roles throughout his lifetime. Starting with his college years, Ted always involved himself in activities that improved the community in which he lived. In Pulaski, Ted served as chair of the Giles County Chamber of Commerce and President of the Pulaski Rotary Club. He was a member of the executive board of the Middle Tennessee Boy Scout Council and served in various roles with the David Crockett District Committee. Ted also shared his leadership skills with the Boys and Girls Club of Pulaski. Ted's leadership and vision helped to shape the landscape of Martin Methodist College, his church, his community, and the international presence of the Methodist church in higher education. He cherished his role as mentor to students and colleagues alike. Ted loved working with his hands to craft wooden furniture, toys, and presents for his friends and family. He attacked every home improvement challenge with vigor and was dubbed "the gadget guy" by his friends. He readily offered his handyman services to others who were in need. Ted relished the role of family travel agent and planned amazing vacations down to the very last detail. He enjoyed international travel, boating, model rocketry, and contemporary jazz. Of all the roles he played during his lifetime, the one he cherished the most was as G-Pa to his beloved grandchildren, William and Sadie. Ted was dedicated to his family: his wife Cheryl, his sons Ted(dy) and Tyler, his daughter-in-law Stephanie, his sister and brother-in-law Donna & Gordon Butler, his great aunts Susie Schulz and Sally Brown, and precious nieces, nephews, and cousins. May God hold you forever in the palm of His hands, Ted. Visitation will be held at Bennett May-Giles County Funeral Home on Tuesday, May 23rd from 4:00pm until 7:00pm followed by a memorial service at First United Methodist Church in Pulaski on Wednesday, May 24th at 3:00pm. Officiated by Lee Stevenson and Steve Angus of Winchester First United Methodist Church. Donations may be made to the Brown Scholarship Fund at Martin Methodist College, 433 W. Madison St., Pulaski, TN 38478

Dr. Ted Brown

May 27, 1951 - May 20, 2017