Richard Gary Brown

Richard Gary Brown, 73, of Lawton, passed away suddenly on Sunday, August 27, 2023. 

He was born March 12, 1950, in Paw Paw, son of Dwight Brown and Lucille (Roy) Brown. 

Richard attended Lawton High School graduating in 1968. He then enlisted in the Air Force where he served during Vietnam, loading bombs into planes. In 1974, he was honorably discharged and returned home to Lawton where began farming grapes and drove wrecker on the side. At the farm he ran the harvester, pruned, sprayed and suckered the grapes. In 1978 he married his loving wife, Debra Cerny. The couple welcomed their only daughter into the world in 1980, Nicole "Niki" Brown, his little side kick. Next to his love of farming, Richard joined the Michigan Snowmobile Association where he ended up being recreation director, vice president, president three times and past president three times. 

The western u.p. was one of Richards favorite destinations to hunt. Another passion of Richards were cars and trucks, especially antique cars. Niki gave him three grandchildren and he was known as the "fun grandpa". Niki and all of her kids had their own snowmobiles, four wheelers and a side by side. 

He is also survived by his wife Debra (Cerny) Brown, daughter, Niki Brown; three grandchildren, Randy Grgurich, Dominick Grgurich and Leigha Grgurich, two sisters, Vicki Brooks and Valerie Baden. 

Family and friends are invited to visit Monday, September 4, 2023, beginning at 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. at Adams Funeral Home where a memorial service will commence at 4:00 p.m. with Rev. Ron Packer officiating. 

Memorial contributions may be directed to VBEMS. 

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Richard Gary Brown, please visit our floral store.