Leneld E. Brown

Leneld Edward Brown passed away on July 21, 2018, at the age of 73. A native of Portland, he was a member of Mt. Olivet Church since childhood, and is a graduate of Ulysses S. Grant High School (graduated with honors), University of Oregon (BA, Mathematics) and George Washington University (MA, Engineering). 

While at UO, Leneld was the first African-American to pledge and be initiated into the Tau Kappa Epsilon Fraternity, participated in ROTC, married and started a family with Stephanie DuBoise, and began bowling which became a life-time passion of his. Upon graduation in 1968, he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and, in 1969, Leneld was deployed to Việt Nam.  He received several commendations for his efforts during this conflict and continued to serve his country in locations nationwide and overseas for 24 years, retiring from the military as a Lieutenant Colonel in 1992. He eventually returned to Portland where he founded the local chapter of the National Association of Black Veterans (NABVETS) and under his guidance the organization assisted veterans in receiving over $13.5 million in benefits.

Predeceased by his parents, Layola and Bennie Brown, Sr., siblings V. Jean Glenn and Sherman, and cousin Raymond Barber, Jr., Leneld is survived by his two children, Marc and Tracy, their mother Stephanie, brothers Wendell and Bennie, Jr., sister Bennie Mae Berryman, cousin Joyce Barber Brown, companion Barbara Chatfield, numerous extended family, and a caring community of friends and colleagues. Leneld will be remembered as a gregarious and generous person who was dedicated to public service and valued his fellow veterans, family members and many friends.

Memorial donations in memory of Leneld may be made to NABVETS Portland, Oregon Chapter #0032; 100 SW Main St; Portland, OR 97204. 

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