Remembering the Life Journey of the Legendary Gordon Brown, Sr.
Gordon Brown, Sr. was born on May 5, 1936, to Ora Lee Brown (deceased), in Charleston, South Carolina. His birth name was Jacob Chavis, and he was the oldest of McKeever Brown, Sr. (deceased), and Ora Lee Brown (deceased), seven children. Gordon’s heritage includes descendants from the Seminole Indian Nation, and his forefathers lived on the islands surrounding Charleston, South Carolina, long before the Civil War.
Gordon grew up on James Island, South Carolina. He accepted Christ at an early age and attended St. James Presbyterian Church, and lived by the WORD of GOD. His mother Ora Lee had him in all the Youth Church programs. Gordon attended James Island Presbyterian Church school. This is where Gordon Sr. received the teachings of strong moral character, the importance of having a strong family, and his will to endeavor to be great. After graduating from Burke High School, Gordon attended a trade School to learn brick mason and construction. Two years later, he married the love of her life, Harriett Brown (deceased), and shared 66 years of marital bliss. He lived for his beautiful wife and precious children, and his true joy came from the love and support that he openly gave and received from his family and friends.
Gordon was introduced to the game of golf at the early age of 9. By 18, Gordon had become an accomplished golfer. In 1958, like so many others of their generation, who risked their life, family safety and endured and persevered, Gordon Sr. and 14 men fought to help integrate the Charleston Municipal Golf Course. In 1995, the NAACP Charleston Chapter honored Gordon in the state of South Carolina for his role in desegregating Charleston’s Municipal Golf Course.
Gordon Brown Sr. was considered a pioneer for Black excellence in the world of golf, leaving behind a legacy where he paved the way for up-and-coming Black golfers.
Gordon served his country in the US Army. With the loving support of his wife, Gordon left a golf legacy that few people could match. Gordon qualified for the Fort Benning Army Base Golf Team in Columbus, Georgia. He joined the United Golfers Association (UGA) an All-Negro Black Golf Tour founded in 1926, where he traveled only when the Tour went to Florida. It was there where he met and played golf with Jackie Robinson, Pete Brown, James Black, Lee Elder, Rafe (Ray) Botts, Charlie Sifford, Ted Rhodes and a few more. They were some of the black pioneers who helped to pave the way for future generations in the golf world.
In 1962, in midst of racial tension and the inequalities of the south, Gordon Sr. and Harriett Brown (deceased) and their 3 children left Charleston, SC and moved to San Diego, California. Gordon won numerous amateur golf tournaments and was known as one of San Diego top amateur golfers by winning three straight San Diego Industrial Golf Championships and retiring the Silver Cup since 1943, with winners like Sam Snead and Ted Rhodia.
In 1970, Gordon and Harriett (deceased) decided to get the community children involved in Junior Golf by establishing the Southeast Junior Golf program, which was later renamed to the San Diego Inner City Junior Golf Foundation. There, he taught golf and “Life Skills” free to all children in the community! Gordon and Harriett (deceased) not only built Golf Champions, but they also helped to build Champions in Life; several of his top students received golf scholarships to Colleges and Universities.
From humble beginnings in South Carolina. The legendary Gordon Brown, Sr. and Harriett (deceased) were the foundation for the Brown Family Golf Saga. A story about a black family’s unprecedented golf history, unmatched by any Black family in America or around the world. The Brown Family golf story also includes winning over 320 victories in the San Diego Junior Golf Association and capturing the California Interscholastic Foundation Championships. In 2022, their daughter Avis, made LPGA History, being the only African American female in history to play the US Women’s Open and the US Senior Women’s Open. Their grandson Kijontray McClay is a PGA Certified Teaching Professional, who has taught at several exclusive country clubs and golf camps across America.
Gordon Sr. was inducted into the African American Golf Hall of Fame; He was awarded the Southern California PGA Heritage award and received the PGA Southern California San Diego Chapter Honorary Life Member. He also received numerous awards from the City of San Diego, and the NAACP Charleston Chapter and the City of Charleston recognized him by having the Gordon Brown Day. Gordon Sr. is also mentioned in the “A History of James Island Slave Descendants and Plantation owner’s book. The Brown Family is also mentioned in the 100 Years of Golf in San Diego Book.
On Friday, August 22, 2025, Gordon Brown, Sr. was called Home to be with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. A devoted son, loving husband and father, a role model, a mentor, and a man of GOD, the legendary Gordon Brown, Sr. was truly one of GOD’s Angels.
Treasuring his love and precious memories are his loving children, two daughters: Rosetta McClay of San Diego, CA. and Avis Brown-Riley (James) Las Vegas, NV., three sons: Gordon Brown, Jr. (Joyce) Tallahassee, FL., Horace Brown, and Oran Brown, both of San Diego, CA., four sisters: Isabelle Fields, Anne L. Ellis, Patricia Dickerson, and Vanessa Roper, nine Grandchildren: Kenny Jr, Kashun, Keontae, Kyonna, Kijonna, Kijontay, Ayanna, Amari Riley, and Jakoby Brown. Great-grandchildren: Ceoncea, Kaylah, Keontae Jr, Kevion, Kenny III, KhyLee, Kaliyah, Kassidy, Kaylani, Kaleb and Kyrimaa. Gordon Brown, Sr. was preceded in death by his loving wife Harriett Brown, his granddaughter Kyrishaa McClay-Briggs, Sister Ethel Mae Grant and brother McKeever Brown Jr.
