The Ventura County Department of Airports joins in mourning the loss of Dr. J. Anthony Brown, local surgeon and longtime pilot and member of the CMA family. Below is the obituary for Dr. Brown with information regarding upcoming services.
Dr. J. Anthony Brown, 87 of Thousand Oaks, CA., passed away peacefully on January 3rd, 2023. “Tony” as he liked to be called, is survived by his wife of 60 years, Marjorie, his two daughters, two granddaughters and two great grandsons.
Tony was born in Orchard Park, NY, in 1935, to Evelyn Anthony and Harry “Bud” Brown who owned the very first pharmacy in Orchard Park. He attended Culver Military Academy, attended Brown University, graduated from the University of Buffalo Medical School, and went on to The Research and Educational Hospital in Chicago, IL where he completed his surgical residency under Dr. Warren H. Cole.
Tony and Marge spent four years in Germany while he served as an Army Major and Surgeon stationed at the 30th Field in Augsburg, Germany. Tony was a patriot and loved serving his country.
In 1969, they moved to the Conejo Valley. Dr. Brown opened his General and Vascular Surgery Practice. He was innovative in his field and the first surgeon in the tri county area to perform a Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy.
Dr. Brown served as both Chief of Surgery and Chief of Staff at Los Robles Medical Center and continued his private practice for 36 years. We have been blessed by stories of how much Tony helped others with his medical achievements while maintaining a gentle bedside manner and a mentor to many doctors.
He was a Ham radio enthusiast, part of the Ventura County Search and Rescue Medical Team, a member of the Quiet Birdmen and had a lifelong love for flying. He flew in and out of the local Camarillo airport where he maintained a hanger and friendships for decades. If Tony wasn’t in the air flying, he was on the ground flying his radio-controlled model airplanes that he built and customized himself.
In addition to his professional life, marriage and hobbies, Tony was a loving father and role model to his two daughters that he loved dearly. He always made time for his family by gathering around the dinner table and spending time together on family trips. Lake Tahoe was just one of many favorite destinations where you could find the Brown family enjoying the great outdoors. Whether it was skiing, camping, riding ATV’s and motorcycles or just being together, he was our hero. We will carry his loving warmth and memories forever.
A Celebration of Life service will be held at 1:00 PM, Sunday, January 29th, 2023, at Conejo Mountain Funeral Home Memorial Park, 2052 Howard Road; Camarillo, CA 93012. 805-482-1959.