Valley View Schools Remember Leroy Brown As True Community Pillar

BOLINGBROOK, IL - People throughout Bolingbrook were deeply saddened by Wednesday's news across the village of 76,000, that long-time civic leader and all-around great guy, Leroy Brown, has died following complications from heart surgery. He was 73. Brown had worked as the safety coordinator for the Valley View School District since 2006.

“Leroy Brown is a true pillar of Valley View,” said James Mitchem, Valley View District 365U Superintendent of Schools. “His expertise and knowledge in safety and security were obviously his biggest professional assets. But, what made Leroy special was his dedication to making sure kids are safe, and his ability to establish personal relationships with our staff. While we mourn the loss of our friend and colleague, we take comfort in knowing Leroy’s impact will carry on into the future.”

Steve Quigley, president of the school board at Valley View, echoed Mitchem's remarks. “We are deeply saddened by the passing of our friend,” Quigley said in a statement issued by Valley View Schools. “He was an iconic leader in our district, and our community as a whole. We know we will benefit long into the future from his professional knowledge and leadership, but more importantly, we are better people for having known Leroy Brown.”

On Wednesday morning, Bolingbrook Mayor Roger Claar told WJOL 1340 that the death of Leroy Brown was "an incredible loss to the village of Bolingbrook. Claar also told the station Brown was "his right arm for about 25 years."

Brown was a resident of Bolingbrook since 1976. He became a trustee on the village board in 1993 and he has been the deputy mayor under Claar since 2000. He was serving on the village's public safety committee and was chairman of the finance committee.

In August, Patch published a full length column that Brown wrote regarding the issue of school safety. Brown served as the Safety Coordinator for the Valley View School District's students, staff and schools.

"We take great pride in our safety record in Valley View School District. At the same, we are never complacent because we understand the community is trusting us with what matters most, the safety and security of students," Brown wrote in the column, which can be read here.

Brown's accomplishments, feats and involvement in civic life was impressive. He was a Vietnam Veteran, having served as a Green Beret. He was a member of the American Legion Post 1288. He was chairman of the ushers at St. Francis Church. He was named a DuPage Township Male Citizen of the Year. He was a lifetime member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5917 as well as many other community groups, his bio on the village of Bolingbrook notes.

Bolingbrook Patch will bring you more information regarding funeral arrangements once those become available.

Image of Leroy J. Brown via village of Bolingbrook