Marvin Brown – Former CCUSD Leader

Brown, a lifelong educator, devoted husband, father and grandfather, died on September 18, 2026, just days before his 82nd birthday. Services will be held on Sept. 23, 2026  at 10 am at Mount Sinai in Simi Valley. The memorial is open to the public, and all are welcome. 

Marvin was born on September 23, 1944, on Manhattan’s Lower East Side and grew up in New York City. He attended Stuyvesant High School, an accomplishment he remained proud of throughout his life. He eventually made his way west and built his life in Southern California, a place he came to deeply love and call home.

Education was at the center of Marvin’s professional life. Over a career spanning 40 years, he served students and families in many roles: as a science and math teacher, driver’s education teacher, guidance counselor, vice principal and principal. He was part of the first generation of teachers at Calabasas High School and later served as principal of Culver City High School,  Culver Park High School and Culver City Adult School. He earned his Doctor of Education degree and dedicated his career to the schools, students and educators of his community.

Marvin’s commitment to helping others extended well beyond his career. For a decade, he volunteered preparing taxes through AARP, and for another 10 years he served as a mentor through Jewish Big Brothers. He also cared deeply about civic life and equality, including volunteering to phone-bank in opposition to California’s Proposition 8.

Outside of work, Marvin loved sailing and golf. He was a longtime member of Fairwind Yacht Club and the Sepulveda Senior Golf Club. He loved Motown, rarely missed Jeopardy!, and remained an enthusiastic New Yorker even after becoming a devoted Southern Californian.

Marvin and his wife, Barbara, shared a love of travel and explored the world together. Asked to name a favorite destination, Marvin could never choose one, perhaps because for him the pleasure was as much in going somewhere new together as in the destination itself.

Above all, Marvin was a husband, father, grandfather, son, son-in-law, brother and uncle. He is survived by his wife, Barbara Brown; his sons, Eric Brown and Russell Brown; and his grandchildren, Sylvie, Nico, Max, Noah and Sky. He was predeceased by his step-daughter, Sarah Knopf.

Across four decades in education and many more years as a mentor, volunteer, friend and family member, Marvin spent much of his life teaching, guiding and helping others. He leaves behind a family who loved him, communities he served, and generations of students whose lives he helped shape.

Brown requested that donations in his memory go to the American Heart Association at www.heart.org/ or the Los Angeles LGBT Center at lalgbtcenter.org/