Retired Marine, former CGSC instructor dies at 67 - Command and General Staff College Foundation, Inc.

Col. Stephen E. Brown, USMC Retired, 67, of Stilwell, Kansas, passed away peacefully at home on June 24, 2025.

Brown was the namesake of the CGSC Foundation’s “Colonel Stephen E. “Brownie” Brown Scholarship” for children of life members of the Foundation’s Alumni Association.

Brown retired from active duty in February 2009 and became an instructor at the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College in 2010. Due to medical complications from Spinocerebellar Ataxia (SCA), he retired from teaching at CGSC in 2018. In 2022, his network of lifelong friends approached the CGSC Foundation to establish the scholarship in Brown’s name to honor his lifetime of service and their friendship.

Since its inaugural year in 2023, the CGSC Foundation has awarded the Colonel Stephen E. “Brownie” Brown Scholarship to the top high school applicant in its annual competitive scholarship program.

“On behalf of the staff and trustees of the CGSC Foundation, I’d like to extend our most sincere condolences to the Brown family,” said Foundation President/CEO Lora Morgan. “We’re honored that we have and will continue awarding our top scholarship each year in his name. That is a testament and lasting legacy to his devotion to students and family.”

Born March 8, 1958, in Unionville, Missouri, Brown was the son of Dale and Charlotte Brown and the older brother of MaryAnn Brown James (David). A proud Archbishop O’Hara High School graduate, he met and married his high school sweetheart, Susan Wiley, and their loving marriage spanned 45 years.

Together, Steve and Susan raised two children: Andrew Brown (Jess) and Rachel Uptergrove (Garet) and were blessed with six grandchildren: Blaine and Hailey Uptergrove, Lily and Kaden Brown, and Tristan and Trevor Beckerdite. Steve cherished his role as brother-in-law to Kathy Wiley and Mark Wiley (Tracey) and Uncle to his nieces and nephews. He enjoyed spending time with his cousins at the family farm in Savannah, Missouri. Steve’s devotion to family was evident in all he did.

Visitation will be Monday, June 30, 5-7 p.m. with sharing of memories from 7-8 p.m., at McGilley State Line Chapel, 12301 State Line Road, Kansas City, Missouri 64145. Mass of Christian Burial is Tuesday, July 1, at 10:00 a.m. at St. Michael the Archangel Parish, 14251 Nall Avenue, Leawood, Kansas 66223.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks everyone to please consider a memorial contribution to the “Colonel Stephen E “Brownie” Brown Scholarship.”

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