Kevin Leiss Brown

Kevin Leiss Brown, 66, of Wilmington, North Carolina, passed away on September 10, 2026, in Durham, North Carolina. It is with deep sadness that we share this news with family and friends. He was born on November 23, 1959, to the late Richard Eugene Brown and Marilyn Jean (Leiss) Brown of Loveland, Ohio.

Kevin was born in Troy, Ohio, and later moved to Mequon, Wisconsin, where he grew up as the oldest of four children, with two younger brothers and a sister. Alongside his brothers, he developed a lifelong love of Wisconsin sports, especially the Green Bay Packers. He graduated from Westminster College in Fulton, Missouri, where he met the love of his life, Carol Todd. He also earned a master's degree from the University of Missouri in Columbia, Missouri.

During their 44 years of marriage, Kevin and Carol shared countless adventures and called many places home, including Oklahoma, Delaware, Michigan, Indiana, Tennessee, and even Luxembourg. These moves were made possible by Kevin's accounting career, which began with Conoco, took him overseas with DuPont in Luxembourg, and concluded with GE Vernova. Wherever work and life led them, Kevin and Carol embraced opportunities to explore new places and build lasting friendships.

Eventually, Kevin and Carol settled in Wilmington, North Carolina, a place they came to love dearly, especially for its community of neighbors and friends, beautiful beaches, and the opportunities for him to pursue his passions for history and listening to live music. From the coast to the mountains, they embraced all that North Carolina had to offer. Kevin enjoyed cheering for the Carolina Hurricanes, as well as the University of North Carolina football and basketball teams.

Kevin and Carol raised two children, Ashley and Austin, who brought him immense joy throughout his life. He loved watching them build lives and families of their own. In recent years, he especially enjoyed being "Papa" to his granddaughters, Josephine and Anna Wolf. Throughout his life, Kevin was happiest when surrounded by family, whether singing along to Beatles songs on Sunday morning donut runs when his children were young, gathering in the mountains years later to celebrate his Thanksgiving birthday, or coming together this past year for his mother's 90th birthday party.

Kevin is survived by his beloved wife, Carol Jean (Todd) Brown; his daughter, Ashley Wolf, and her husband, Ryan Wolf, of Hillsborough, North Carolina, and their daughters, Josephine and Anna Wolf; his son, Austin Brown, of Raleigh, North Carolina, and his partner, Ryan Combs; and his mother, Marilyn Brown. He is also survived by his brothers, Christopher Brown and Gary Brown; his sister, Shari Brown; and many cherished nieces, nephews, extended family members, and dear friends who loved him deeply.

Kevin was preceded in death by his father, Richard Brown.

Kevin trusted his faith in God throughout his life, during times of joy and also when facing challenges. A funeral service will be held on Sunday, September 27, at 1:00 p.m. in the Kenan Chapel at First Presbyterian Church, 125 S. 3rd Street, Wilmington, North Carolina. A celebration of life reception will follow the service at Little Drum Landing (next to Elijah's Restaurant), 2 Ann St., Wilmington, North Carolina.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in honor of Kevin Leiss Brown at Memorial Fund – Kevin Leiss Brown or by mail to 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.

The Brown family is under the care of Hall-Wynne Funeral Service.