Catching up with . . . Curt Brown

Curt Brown, who was a Beacon Journal reporter 1971-74, will be 68 on Monday (Nov. 7). Curt's mother, Rachel Brown (inset photo), was born on Nov. 3, but that was 105 years ago. She died in 1993.

Curt (inset photo) has been music director and organist/choirmaster at New Life Episcopal Church, 13118 Church Ave. NW, Uniontown for nine years and also teaches piano and organ at his Highland Square home. He also does organ recitals. The next one will be 4 p.m. Sunday, March 18, 2012 at New Life Episcopal Church.

J. Curtis Brown, Jr., 26, is the son of Curt and Curt's late wife, Jolan "Jody" Moldvay Brown, who died Aug. 4, 1993.

Curt has a pair of dogs that keep him company at home.

Curt once handled public relations for the United Rubber Workers and United Steel Workers.

His mother and two sisters also played the piano. He credits an organist named Lula, who let him play her church organ when he was six, for getting him hooked on being an organist.

Curt was city editor of the Charleston Gazette, West Virginia's largest newspaper, when the Marshall University plane carrying the football team, staff and supporters crashed in 1970 on its way back to Huntington after a game, wiping out the Thundering Herd's grid squad.

The next year, Curt came to the BJ. And later began his PR work for the unions.

Curt was captain of his high school swim team, and also competed in swimming at Baldwin-Wallace. He studied at Oberlin College.