George Gene Brown, 79, a lifelong resident of Milton, went home to be with the Lord Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2026, while surrounded by the love of his family and in the comfort of his own home.

George was born May 19, 1947, in Harbeson, the sixth of eight children born to the late Knoulton Brown Sr. and the late Mary Elizabeth (Sherman) Brown. He was a graduate of Milton High School Class of 1966. George was a star athlete, earning conference honors and serving as captain of the basketball, baseball and track teams.

When George was in seventh grade, his father passed away suddenly from a massive heart attack, leaving his mother to care for George and his younger siblings. Even at a young age, George understood the importance of family. He stepped up to help his mother and younger sisters, often going clamming on the local waterways to earn a little extra money to help support them. That willingness to work hard and take care of the people he loved remained a defining part of George throughout his entire life.

Following graduation, George served in the reserves and was fortunate never to be called to active duty during the Vietnam War.

In 1968, George and his brother Richard went into partnership and opened Brown Brothers, also working with their older brother Raymond, a full-service gas station that also provided minor automotive repairs in Georgetown. The station quickly became a local hangout, where countless friendships were formed and countless pranks, stories and laughs were shared. George and Richard eventually made the difficult decision to close Brown Brothers in 1994, bringing an important chapter of their lives to an end.

After closing the station, George began a new chapter when he started substituting as a custodian in the Cape Henlopen School District. He eventually found a permanent home at Milton Elementary School – the very same school he had attended as a child. George knew the building inside and out, and had a remarkable knowledge of its history. He not only took great pride in maintaining the school, but also enjoyed giving tours to former students and graduating classes, showing them the changes that had taken place in the building over the years.

George truly loved children. He enjoyed joking and kidding with the students, knew many of them by name, and always tried to brighten their day. His friendly smile, sense of humor and genuine care for others made him an unforgettable part of the Milton Elementary family. He retired in 2018 after 21 years of service.

Retirement gave George even more time to devote to what mattered most to him – his family. He loved taking his grandchildren to and from school, and rarely missed one of their sporting events. He was deeply devoted to his family and was incredibly proud of his sons’ and grandchildren’s accomplishments. His life truly revolved around his boys and his grandkids, and he never missed an opportunity to let them know how much they were loved.

George's happy place was on the water. He loved fishing and crabbing, but his true passion was clamming. For George, clamming was more than simply being out on the water – it was something he had done since he was young, a way to work hard, make a few extra coins and enjoy one of the places where he felt most at home.

George was also a true sports enthusiast. He enjoyed watching baseball, football and NASCAR and could always find something to cheer for.

George was a man who valued hard work, family, friendship and a good laugh. Whether he was behind the counter at Brown Brothers, walking the halls of Milton Elementary, out on the water clamming, sitting in the stands watching his grandchildren compete, or simply spending time with the people he loved, George had a way of making those around him feel welcome and cared for. His legacy will live on through the many lives he touched and, most importantly, through the family he loved so deeply.

In addition to his parents, George was preceded in death by five siblings, William Sherman, Leona Jones, Knoulton “Junior” Brown Jr., Raymond Brown and Diana “Diane” Bradley Holloway.

He leaves behind his loving wife of almost 45 years, Gail (Parkhurst) Brown; his two sons, Douglas G. Brown and his companion Rachel Hockstedler of Frankford, and Tyler L. Brown and his wife Stephanie (Hopkins) Brown of Milton; and his beloved grandchildren, Madelyn “Maddie” Brown and Beau Brown, both of Milton.

George is also survived by his brother, Richard Brown and his wife Laura of Milton; his sister, Brenda Gooner of Milton; and his niece, Deborah West of Milton, whom he considered a sister.

George also shared a strong and loving bond with Gail’s family. He is survived by his father-in-law and mother-in-law, William Kenneth Parkhurst and Louise Parkhurst of Georgetown; his brother-in-law, Kenny Parkhurst and his wife Emilie, of Milton; and his sisters-in-law, Connie Ennis and her husband Steve of Laurel, and Robin Morgan and her husband Barry of Millsboro. He also leaves behind a host of nieces and nephews who will forever cherish his memory.

George will be deeply missed by his family, friends, former students, coworkers and all those who had the privilege of knowing him. Though his chair may be empty and his voice may no longer be heard, the love, laughter, stories and memories he created will remain in the hearts of those who loved him.

He has gone home to be with the Lord, but his legacy of love, family, hard work and kindness will live on forever.

A visitation will be held from 10 a.m. to noon, Saturday, Aug. 22, at the Long Neck Chapel of Melson Funeral Services, 32013 Long Neck Road, Millsboro, where a funeral service will begin at noon. Interment will follow at Odd Fellows Cemetery, Milton.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions in George’s name to The Water’s Edge, 13275 Reynolds Road, Milton, DE 19968; or Delaware Hospice, 100 Patriots Way, Milford, DE 19963.

Online condolences may be sent by visiting melsonfuneralservices.com.