Ronald L. Brown, 74, of Dormont, PA, passed away peacefully, surrounded by loved ones, on Monday, January 6, 2025.

Survived by his loving wife, Amy; four children Noah (Marielle), Andrew (Gina), Alexandra Masson (Caleb) and Veronica Clark (Phil); stepsons Anthony (Anna) and Stephen; brother Bill (Carol); sister-in-law Sherry; cousin Nola; eccentric ex-wife Jackie; his beloved cousins, nieces and nephews; and his 12 wonderful grandchildren.

Preceded in death by his parents Paul and Ruth Brown, brother Danny Brown and sister Barbara, Ron will be dearly missed by his friends, neighbors, extended family, and the entire Pittsburgh music scene.

Ron was born and raised in the Mon Valley where he lived for many years before moving to Dormont. A veteran of the US Navy, he served during the Vietnam war and was stationed in Cuba, where he was tasked with watching the red phone. Upon leaving the Navy, Ron graduated from Pittsburgh Technical College where we specialized in HVAC design and repair, and California State College, where he received a degree in Historical Education. Ron ultimately decided to join his family in working for the railroad and worked for over 25 years before retiring as a Yardmaster with Norfolk Southern.

Ron was an avid video gamer; from the arcades of the 1970s all the way through to his Xbox Series X; one of his favorite hobbies was to sit down after a long day and play his games. His favorite games were Red Dead Redemption 2, Skyrim, and the Far Cry series. Ron also enjoyed sharing his love of games with his grandchildren, spending many hours with them as they struggled to teach their grandfather to care about Minecraft.

However, Ron’s true lifelong passion was music. He discovered his love of rock and roll during the early 1960s and learned to play the guitar when he was a teenager. His first band included lifelong friend Dave Barbe and he continued his musical journey for the next 60 years, travelling with the country and entertaining tens of thousands of people. Ron eventually taught himself to play many instruments, including the bass, drums, keyboards and more. It is through music and his many bands that he made many cherished friends including Steve Marchetti, Denny Pranovich, Michael T. Nolan, Don Harrison, Don Plum, Will Bautz, Ray Morreton, Mark Zucco, Jake Zucco, and many more. In the later years of his life, Ron played in the Worship Band at Mt. Lebanon Christ Church where he was happy to use his talents to celebrate his rediscovered faith in God.

His dedication and love for all things music led Ron to learn the art of recording and producing, where he worked with some of Pittsburgh’s top bands during the 1990s local music boom. It is through music that Ron met his first wife, Jackie, and eventually met the love of his life, Amy.

Ron's lasting legacies in music will be numerous; from his songs, which will live on through the ages for all to hear; for the many memories that he made at concerts, and oftentimes, on the way to those shows; and in the musical knowledge and love he imparted in his children.

Ron's life was filled with incredible adventures. He attended Woodstock in 1969, partied with medicine men in the Blue Mountains of Jamaica, and drank tequila on the beaches of Mexico, to name just a few. His favorite place in the world to vacation was Gettysburg, as he loved to walk the hallowed battlefields and learn about the great American conflict. However, Ron’s greatest adventure was raising and protecting his family.

He was a wonderful and dedicated father who raised his children with a sense of integrity and to be committed to their passions. Often referred to by his children as “The Big Cat” due to his propensity for sitting down and being moody, he taught his family to always say “I love you” at the end of every phone call, and to always make sure those you love know exactly how you feel. You never had to guess if you were Ron Brown’s friend - he made sure you knew. He was a kind, generous and funny man who loved to share a drink and a laugh with those around him.

Ron will be greatly missed by all who knew him, and his contagious laughter and legendary “Ron-isms” will be remembered for generations to come.

Friends and family are invited to celebrate Ron's life at Mt. Lebanon Christian Church on Saturday, January 18, 2025, at 1pm. A reception will follow.

In lieu of flowers, Ron's family requests that you take time to support your local bands and music scene and to encourage a young child in your life to play guitar, in hopes that they fall in love with music the same way that Ron did. Additionally, monetary donations can be made to HungryForMusic.org in Ron’s memory. Announcement by the William A. Bautz Funeral Home of New Eagle. Condolences can be left on the obituary page at www.williamabautzfuneralhome.com