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Hugh (Skip) A. Brown III, age 64 of Alpena, Michigan passed away on July 17, 2022, at Covenant Hospital Saginaw. He was born on July 14, 1958, to Hugh Brown Jr. (preceded in death in 2018) and Juanita Brown.
Skip was born on a warm summer day in Detroit, Michigan. Within the year, Skip's family moved to Hubbard Lake, Michigan where he spent his youth on a farm and eventually became a member of the Future Farmers of America (FFA). That career path was short-lived, however, as Skip, upon turning 18 years old, began a military career that would span 21 and a half years. First with the Michigan National Guard, and then as a reservist, retiring as a Master Sergeant in the U.S. Army Reserves. Skip attributed his long tenure in the army to Major Wesley Smith, who, on many occasions, motivated him to continue his military career. Skip also founded H. Brown Construction in 1984 and continued his successful construction business until his death. Throughout his career, he amassed much more than clients - he made friends and forged partnerships.
In the fall of 1998, Skip made the bold move of waltzing into Roxann Augustine's kitchen at her sister's restaurant in Hubbard Lake. They had known each other for over 10 years, but as fate would have it, this instance marked the beginning of a new chapter for the two of them. They married shortly after, and their adventure endured for 22 years - each considering the other their best friend and soulmate. Skip also became a great father figure and mentor to Roxann's two boys, Russ and Johnny.
Skip was a multi-talented man with a keen working knowledge about a great deal of things. He was passionate about many things including veteran affairs and helping those in need, especially his brothers and sisters of the Combat Veteran Motorcycle Association (CVMA); playing bluegrass music with his band the Birch Road Band; loving on his granddaughters; and telling stories by a great bonfire while sipping on toasted caramel and joking around with his sisters-in-law. And let's not forget his newly acquired pyrotechnic skills that only grew larger and more daring every Fourth of July.
Though it is hard to understand why Skip was taken from us so abruptly, we are comforted that he passed while doing the very thing he loved most - riding a motorcycle and feeling the wind on his face. He is survived by his lovely bride of 22 years, Roxann Brown, his stepsons Russ (Deborah) and John Augustine, his beautiful granddaughters Sofia and Natalie Augustine, and his in-laws: Dorothy Moore, Roddy McKeen (Diane), Christine Kellerman, Diane McKeen (Erica), and Robert McKeen. He is also survived by his stepmother Jeri "Ma B.," his siblings: Sherry Brown (Brian), Patty Holnagel, and Scott Brown, and the many friends he made throughout his life whom he considered family.
Skip will remain at McWilliams Funeral Home, where his family will receive friends on Saturday, July 23, 2022, from 1 p.m. until the time of the memorial service at 3 p.m. Military honors will be accorded by the U.S. Army and VFW Post 2496 starting at 3 p.m. followed by the service with the Rev. Leslie Nye and Chaplain "Crank" of the CVMA officiating. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made towards Skip's funeral expenses. The memorial service will be livestreamed at mcwilliamsfh.com where contributions and online condolences can be registered as well.