Kennedy W. Brown devoted his entire life in service to his country, his community and to the Chickasaw people. He was born May 19, 1939, in Stonewall, Oklahoma, to Adolphous D. and Lula Viola Johnson Brown. He graduated from Tupelo High School and attended East Central University.

Mr. Brown served in the Oklahoma Army National Guard for 42 years, retiring at the rank of captain. He was present at Seeley Chapel in 1963 to witness Overton James assume the office of Governor of the Chickasaw Nation.

Mr. Brown, a full-blood Chickasaw, went to work for the Chickasaw Nation in 1974, one of just three full-time employees including Governor James, and continued to serve the tribe for the next 43 years.

His first position was director of the Comprehensive Employment Training Act. He continued to oversee job training programs under the Job Training Partnership Act. He worked to help tribal citizens gain the training and education needed to secure employment or improve their positions in the workforce.

In 1987, Mr. Brown was elected Lieutenant Governor of the Chickasaw Nation, serving until 1991. Following his term as Lt. Governor, Mr. Brown became a special assistant to Governor Bill Anoatubby, contributing years of experience to a wide variety of projects. 

From 1987 to 2010, Mr. Brown was a voting member of the Inter-Tribal Council of the Five Civilized Tribes of Oklahoma. In 1994, he was appointed to the board of directors for the Chickasaw Historical Society and served more than two decades.

Mr. Brown served in numerous capacities in his community, including judge for the Chickasaw Princess Pageant; senior historian for History and Culture; past president and member of the board of trustees of the Chickasaw Foundation; chairman emeritus of the Chickasaw Foundation; board member of the Pontotoc County Election Board; member of the board of directors for Mental Health Services of Southern Oklahoma; Ada Masonic Lodge; chairman for the American Red Cross, Ada Chapter; member of the board of directors for the Ada and McAlester District Girl Scouts; member of the board of directors for the Ada Boys and Girls Club; Ada Kiwanis Club; and member of the board of trustees for the Ada City Schools Foundation.