Gary Brown was introduced to hockey at a very young age thanks to his parents, Charlie and Jan Brown, who fell in love with hockey and the Blues during their inaugural year in St. Louis. Gary's dad had him on skates at the age of two. At the age of three, he started taking skating lessons with his older sister, Gina. After two years, the skating instructor said there wasn't much more she could do for him since he didn't want to figure skate. His first hockey experience was stick and pucks followed by the Red Berenson Hockey Camp at the age of six. He started playing hockey at the age of seven for the Affton Americans. The next 11 years consisted of Gary playing for Affton, Team St. Louis, Valley, CBC, Affton Americans Jr B, and the Affton Jr. Blues.

While at CBC High School, Gary made the varsity team his sophomore year and was the leading scorer on a team that lost in the state championship game. Following that loss, CBC went 28-0 the next two seasons and captured back to back state titles. Gary left CBC with the record for most points in a season (104), most career goals (118), most career assists (125), and most career points (243).

After Gary graduated high school, he played for the West Michigan Wolves in Kalamazoo for their inaugural season in the North American Hockey League. While the team struggled in the standings, Gary finished 3rd in league scoring with 27 goals and 80 points, 12 behind league leader Doug Weight. Gary was named All League 1st Team.

Later that summer, Gary suffered a serious accident while working a part-time job. He lost most of the skin on his thumb and the palm of his hand. The plastic surgeon said his playing days were over. Skin grafts were taken from his hips and the bottom of his left foot to cover his hand. Six weeks later despite what the surgeon said, he was back in Kalamazoo to start the season for the rebranded Kalamazoo Jr. K Wings in the NAHL, where he was named captain. The injury required extra padding to be sewn into his glove in addition to wearing a weight lifting glove. During this season, Gary led his team to a berth in the Nationals and led the league in scoring with 39 goals and 75 assists in 44 games, beating out Eric Lindros and Brian Holzinger, a future Hobey Baker winner. He was awarded the leading goal scorer and leading point getter and was named to the All League 2nd team.

Gary fulfilled his dream of playing Division I college hockey at Miami University where he played 15 games as a freshman recording one assist. Following his Freshman season he required surgeries on his heel and Achilles Tendon which put an end to his playing days. In recent years, Gary continued to be active in the hockey community by coaching both of his sons. He also still enjoys playing hockey recreationally when time allows. 

Gary is married to Jennifer and has four children; Melissa, Eric, Allison, and Matthew.