Johnnie “John” Mack Brown, age 86, passed away on Friday, May 22, 2026.

John was born November 18, 1939, in Cullman, Alabama, the second son of Sarah F. Almon-Brown and William W. Brown. During the years of the Second World War, John’s family moved to Detroit, Michigan, where his parents contributed to the U.S. war industrial effort while raising John and his only brother, William “Bill” Brown.

John served his nation honorably in the U.S. Army and was stationed at Camp Zama, Japan, where he served as a military policeman and played football for the ASARJ Ramblers. A passionate football fan for the rest of his life, he never wavered in his loyalty to the Detroit Lions or his adopted team, the Dallas Cowboys.

John was a successful businessman, with early accomplishments including serving as Executive Director of Purchasing for Valeron Corporation and Vice President of Purchasing for Magnetek.

On December 31, 1982, John married Joan Carolyn Lockwood Gray Brown in Clawson, Michigan. Joan was his beloved wife and companion through the years in which his life’s calling became increasingly clear.

The work for which John became best known grew out of his fervent Christian faith. He became a believer in 1981. Two years later, during his first visit to Israel, he believed God gave him a conviction and purpose that would eventually materialize in the company he would later found, Zion Oil & Gas.

John formed Zion Oil & Gas in April 2000. The company was the result of many years of travel, study, prayer, investment, and cultivating relationships in both Israel and the U.S. John was resolute in his commitment to Israel, the Jewish people, and the search for oil and gas in the land for their benefit.

He gave more than forty years to that conviction.

Yet his greatest treasure was his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and now he has returned home to see Him face to face.

John is survived by his wife of 43 years, Joan Brown, and by his beloved children, grandchildren, stepchildren, and great-grandchildren: son Craig G. Brown; son Mark E. Brown and granddaughter Amber L. Brown; daughter Sarah H. Brown Jarvis and husband Robert “Bob” Jarvis, granddaughter Bianca Malavolti and husband Aaron Malavolti, and great-grandson Story Mac Malavolti; son Anthony John Brown and granddaughters Mary H. Brown and Bailey A. Brown; stepdaughter Carol Gray Ham (Henry Ham deceased); and stepson Todd Gray and wife Elizabeth Gray (stepson Jordan Gray deceased), along with step-great-grandson Luke Gray.

John’s family gives thanks for his life, his faith, and the years they shared with him. Shalom.

"Well done, good and faithful servant..." - Matthew 25:23