Nellis Lee Brown

ARLINGTON -- Nellis Lee "NL" Brown, 74, a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend, passed away Monday, Jan. 23, 2012, at a Fort Worth Alzheimer's center surrounded by his family. He died from complications of Alzheimer's disease.

Celebration of life: 10:30 a.m., Friday at First United Methodist Church, 313 N. Center St., Arlington. Interment: Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery. Visitation: 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Moore Funeral Home, 1219 N. Davis Drive, Arlington.

Memorials: In lieu of flowers, gifts can be made in memory of NL Brown by mail or online to the James L. West Alzheimer Center, 111 Summit Ave., Fort Worth, Texas 76012, www.jameslwest.org.

A resident of Arlington for 36 years, NL lived life to the fullest. Never one to sit idly and watch the world pass him by, he will be remembered for his quick wit, spirit of adventure and love of family.

NL had many interests and passions, most notably motorcycles, flying and golf. There was many a weekend when he and his wife, Ginger, would take off on a short motorcycle trip along the back roads of Texas; NL on the bike and Ginger in the sidecar. His zeal for flying began when he served our country as a member of the 82nd Airborne Division, an active airborne infantry division of the United States Army specializing in parachute landings. It was one of his proudest accomplishments. NL owned several planes throughout his lifetime and continued flying until he was in his late 60s.

NL was an avid golfer. Once he retired, he could be found at Shady Valley Golf Course almost every day.

He was born May 16, 1937, in Lawton, Okla., to Milton and Susie Baker Brown. After his mother died when he was 4, his father remarried and NL was raised by his stepmother, Gladys Brown, whom he loved dearly. He grew up in Longview where he met and married the girl next door, Virginia "Ginger" Milam. NL and Ginger were married 40 years and raised six children.

He was preceded in death by his parents and wife.

The family would like to thank all the staff and volunteers at James L. West for their kindness, help and support.

Survivors: He is survived by his stepmother; sisters, Ginger Boyd and Debbie Williams; brother, Chuck Brown; children, Chuck Brown and wife, Cindy, David Brown, Sonjia Fields and husband, John, Troy Brown and wife, Dena, Lisa Barnard and husband, Rob, and Chip Brown and wife, Heather; and 18 grandchildren.