Barry Ray Brown

The most kind, caring, funny and loving man has left our presence for his ultimate destination. Judge Barry Ray Brown, born November 8, 1952, departed his physical life on October 10th, 2024 after a short illness. 

Preceded in death by parents Ruth Allen Brown and Robert Collins Brown and wife Pat Brown, he is lovingly remembered by his children Katherine Gleaves, John Duffey, Sandy Brown (Jerome) Cochran, and Michael Brown; sister Gwen (Sam) Allen of Dixon Springs, and brothers Kenny Brown, Robert (Linda) Brown and Steve (Tonya) Brown, all of Gallatin; his grandchildren Brandon (Kaila) Woosley, Dr. Jennifer Woosley (Tim Hoffmeyer), Elizabeth, Jeremy, Jackson and Emma Cochran; and great-grandchildren Branson and Charlotte Woosley; many nieces and nephews; his beloved second family from the Sumner County General Sessions Juvenile Court; and his dear and special friend Neat Whittle.

Judge Brown earned the respect and love of co-workers, case workers, advocates, law enforcement officers and all of those he worked with in his 31 years of service as the Sumner County General Sessions Juvenile Court Judge. A graduate of Gallatin High School, Middle Tennessee State University, and the Nashville School of Law (previously the Nashville YMCA Night Law School), he was first elected judge in 1986 after a career in private practice. While he loved nothing more than a good prank on staff, the work he did for the benefit of children and the citizens of Sumner County was his great passion. Among those who thought the most of Judge Brown were many who appeared before him. His professional honors and accolades were many, but his greatest contribution beyond the courtroom was the work he did to establish the Sumner County Court Appointed Special Advocates Program, better known as CASA, which has been serving the children of Sumner County since 1992. 

Only his love for his family eclipsed his love for his life’s work. His children and grandchildren were the most important people in the world to him and he was so proud to be a dad and grandfather. To his family he was never “the judge,” but rather a softhearted teddy bear.

No one was ever safe from Barry’s pranks, gag gifts, jokes or smart remarks – many of which were frequently aimed at his three older brothers. Family and friends never knew what to expect from Barry, a fact to which many may attest. Those of us remaining here believe that he is now laughing merrily in Heaven with Pat and his mother and daddy.

The countless people touched by the care and concern of Judge Barry Brown and the positive impact on his community will be his legacy, as we are all better for Barry’s work on earth.

Services for Judge Brown will be held at United Methodist Church at 149 West Main Street in Gallatin, Tennessee on Tuesday, October 15th at 2 p.m. Visitation with the family will be Monday, October 14th from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. at Alexander Funeral Home & Cremation Center, 584 Nashville Pike, and on Tuesday, October 15th from 10 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. at the church. Pallbearers are grandsons Brandon Woosley, Jeremy and Jackson Cochran, grand son-in-law Tim Hoffmeyer, nephews Bill and Bob Allen, Rob Brown, Phillip Brown and Steven Brown, great-nephews Chris Reichle, Ryan Allen, Andrew Allen, Collins, Connor, and Carter Brown, Jake Wooten, Trey Brown, Cooper Collins and Brendon Wiley.

Memorials in lieu of flowers may be made to Sumner County CASA, 182 West Franklin Street, Gallatin, TN 37066.