Jack Taylor Brown

Jack Taylor Brown passed away peacefully on December 15, 2017 in the presence of his loving family. Jack was born April 1, 1928 in Eastland, Texas, the youngest of five children of Paul and Kittie Lou Brown. He graduated from the University of Texas at Austin in 1949 with a degree in Civil Engineering, where he met and married Betty, his wife of 67 years. The father of six sons and two daughters, grandfather of thirteen grandsons and ten granddaughters and great grandfather of four great grandsons and one great granddaughter, his life was a celebration of faith and family. Jack had a generous heart and his love for Betty and their family was unconditional. He cherished the yearly vacations that the family has taken for over 50 years, twice weekly golf with his old friends as well as relaxing in the summer at their lake home in Horseshoe Bay.

As a resident of Austin since 1935, Jack was very involved in the community both professionally and philanthropically. After graduating from UT, he worked as a civil engineer for the Texas Highway Department before joining his father in the laundry and dry cleaning business. Over the years, he and Betty, their children and grandchildren have built Jack Brown Cleaners into one of the largest family owned dry cleaning operations in the country. In 1986, he was extremely proud to have started the annual Coats for Kids program, which has provided 850,000 winter coats to the less fortunate children in the Austin area. He served as President of the Texas Laundry and Dry Cleaning Association, Chairman of the Varsity International Conference of Cleaners and was a long-time member of the International Dry Cleaners Congress. He also served for many years on the board of directors for both Capitol City Savings and Texas Commerce Bank.

Jack strongly believed in giving back to the community and was always giving of his time for charitable organizations. He served on the board of directors for the Austin Community Foundation, Austin Higher Education Authority, Austin Area Research Organization, the Marywood Adoption Agency (where he was recognized as an Honorary Life Member), the Salvation Army and Vice Chairman at Holy Cross Hospital. He was a past President of Capital City Kiwanis and a past member of Rotary International. In 1992, he received the Community Builder Award from the Masonic Grand Lodge of Texas for his service to the community. His real passion was St. David’s Hospital and the care and compassion they have for Austin. He was the past Chairman of the St. David’s Health Care Partnership, past Chairman of the St. David’s Health Care System and a board member for 36 years.

Jack was very active in his Catholic faith. He and Betty were founding members of St. Louis Catholic Church, St. Theresa’s Catholic Church and the St. Monica’s Holy Family Guild. He was a 60 plus year member of the Knights of Columbus Council 1017, where he served as Grand Knight and also Fourth Degree Knight. He served several years on the board of directors for the Adoration Convent of Divine Love and as an early board member of the Planning Committee of the Diocese of Austin. In 1974, he was honored by Bishop Reicher and received from Rome, the Papal title, Knight of the Holy Sepulchre and was subsequently elevated to Knight Commander. In 1979, he was again honored by the Bishop and invested into the Knights of Malta, an organization dating back to 1050 AD, whose main purpose today is to provide field hospitals for third world countries and disaster areas.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Paul and Kittie Lou Brown, his wife, Betty Ann Brown and his son, William Jeffrey Brown. He is survived by his son Steve, wife Dede, granddaughter Stephanie; daughter Gail McPhail, grandson Tyler, granddaughter Taylor; son Terry, wife Irene, granddaughters Jordan, Madison and Karrington, grandson Gunnar; son Kevin, wife Kathy, grandson Gregory, granddaughter Lauren and husband Mike; Jeff’s wife Valerie; grandson Will and wife Taylor, grandson Craig and wife Amy and great grandsons Cooper, Carson and Cash and great granddaughter Caroline, grandsons Cole and Dalton, granddaughter Candice and husband Bryan and great grandson Anderson; daughter Mary Lauren Laney, husband Terry, grandsons Colby and Casey; son Paul, wife Ave, grandsons Paul and Justin, granddaughters Christiana and Juliana; son Michael, wife Tamsen, granddaughter Dillon, grandsons Conrad and Thatcher.

When Jack was asked the question, “What did you love the most about your life?”, he responded:

“My wife, who I have loved since I first saw her. She was a loving wife, mother and companion and the meaning of my life.

My eight children, all of whom I am very proud. They are wonderful and have made my life worthwhile.

My 23 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren, who I am sure will make their parents just as proud.”

A rosary will be held at 7:30 pm on Monday, December 18, 2017, followed by a visitation with family at Cook Walden Funeral Home, 6100 N. Lamar, Austin, TX. Funeral Mass will be Tuesday, December 19, 2017 at 10:00 am at St. Theresa’s Catholic Church, 4311 Small Drive, Austin, TX, with interment at 1:00pm at Austin Memorial Park Cemetery.

The Brown family wishes to thank all the excellent caregivers at St. David’s Hospital and Westminster Manor.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Jack’s honor to Coats for Kids online at www.jlaustin.org/coats; the Salvation Army online at www.salvationarmyaustin.org/donate-now; or the St. David’s Foundation online at www.stdavidsfoundation.org/get-involved/memorial-or-tribute-gift.

To leave condolence for the family please visit http://www.cookwaldenfuneralhome.com