Arthur “Sparky Art” Brown, 85, previously of Largo, Florida stepped into Heaven on September 19, 2020. 

Art was born in Bronx, New York, when horses and playing stick ball were common in the street. After graduating from Concordia Preparatory High School, he served in the U.S. Army, then returned home with a desire for teaching the love of Jesus. He graduated from Concordia Teacher’s College, River Forest, IL, where he  met and later married his wife of 60 years, Betty. Art taught and coached basketball and baseball at Emmanuel Lutheran School, Dearborn, MI; taught and served as Assistant Headmaster at Germantown Lutheran Academy, Germantown, PA; and taught and coached basketball and baseball at Concordia College, Bronxville, NY.

Upon arriving in Pinellas County in 1978, he served as Headmaster of Lutheran High School. Then became Director of Fire Safety Education, 14 years, for the city of Clearwater, and was well known and loved as “Sparky Art”. Art was a kind, patient, joyful man who never met a stranger. He was active in the community as a long time volunteer directing choir, and teaching classes with his church, the American Red Cross and singing with the Suncoast Barbershop Chorus. He trusted Jesus in life and lives with Him in death.

Grateful for having shared his life are his wife Betty, daughter Mary (Craig), brother Paul (Helen), grandchildren, Thaddeus, Sharaya, Sonnett, Dakota, and Whitney, as well as nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, Walter and Kathryn Brown, son Arthur Jr. and daughter Lorraine.

A special thank you to the people of Congregation Ohr Chadash in Clearwater and St. Mark’s Village in Palm Harbor for their loving care and support.

The family hopes to have a celebration of life in the future when COVID restrictions are lifted.

​Art encouraged and supported the ministry of his daughter, Mary, and son-in-law, Craig "Doc" Oldenburg and the family wishes memorials to continue this support. In Art's memory, spark the faith of a child by donating to Camp Concordia 13400 Pinewood St, Gowen, MI 49326.