Midwest Pro and Two-Time WSOPC Ring Winner Justin Brown Passes Away at 38
Poker pro and two-time World Series of Circuit (WSOP) ring winner Justin Brown passed away on February 2 from what his family says was a brief battle with an aggressive form of cancer.
Brown was just shy of $400,000 in career earnings, according to The Hendon Mob. He was regularly seen on stops of the Mid-States Poker Tour, Heartland Poker Tour, and WSOP Circuit events throughout the Midwest — where he won rings in Tunica and at Horseshoe Hammond in Indiana. Brown's career-high score was a win for $83,302 in the Hollywood Fall Classic outside Cincinnati in 2011.
A graduate of Indiana University, Brown earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in History before his passion for statistics led him to a career in professional poker. Outside of poker, he enjoyed travel, sports, and even mushroom hunting. He is survived by his Mother, Teresa; his father, Gregory; and siblings James, Jeremy, and Katelyn.
The poker world expressed their condolences after Ari Engel shared the news on X. Engel was one of Brown's close friends from frequent stops throughout the Midwest.
Engel also told PokerNews: "Justin loved his family and he and his brother Jeremy were as close as I’ve ever seen brothers be. He was also an amazing and loyal friend- both to human friends and his beloved dog Clyde. I will always have fond memories of the summers we stayed together in Vegas and hanging out at various minor league stops throughout the years. While I’m devastated at losing my friend, I feel so honored to have known such a wonderful person. You are and will be missed Jbrown."
Condolences may be sent to the family through the Chastain Funeral Home website.
The family also wishes to share a message from a Brown:
“If you think of me and would like to do something for my memory, do this; volunteer at a school, church, or library; write a letter to someone and tell them how they have a positive effect on your life; if you smoke – quit; if you drink and drive – stop; turn off the electronics and take a kid out for ice cream and talk to them about their hopes and dreams; forgive someone who doesn’t deserve it; stop at all the lemonade stands run by kids and brag about their product; and make someone smile today if it is in your power to do so.”
Lead photo credit: WSOP.com
Las Vegas-based PokerNews Live Reporting Executive, originally from Chicago, IL
