Franklin Douglas “Doug” Brown, 81, passed away peacefully on September 2, 2025, in San Antonio, Texas.
Born on March 4, 1944, in Fort Worth, Texas, Doug was raised there and excelled academically and as a student-athlete, competing in football, basketball, baseball, and golf. His athletic talent led him to West Texas State in Canyon, Texas, where he played collegiate football and met the love of his life, Sandra Whelchel of Pampa, Texas. Doug and Sandra married soon after and shared 61 wonderful years together, raising two children, Steven Gregory Brown and Julie Brown Gross.
Doug went on to earn his bachelor’s degree in computer science from Arlington State College (now The University of Texas at Arlington). In 1973, he moved his young family to Plano, Texas, where he enjoyed a successful career as a computer programmer and executive with Texas Instruments, EDS, FMC, Frito-Lay, and AMR. Later, he pursued entrepreneurship, owning an IT recruitment firm before “retiring.” Retirement didn’t last long—Doug went on to create EZ Home Computers, where he became the go-to neighbor for troubleshooting computer issues and setting up home networks.
A devout man of faith, Doug and his family were among the founding members of Christ United Methodist Church in Plano. He cherished spending time with his loved ones, traveling with Sandra, and enjoying countless rounds of golf with his friends.
Doug is survived by his loving wife, Sandra Brown; children Steven Brown and Julie Gross; son-in-law Byron Gross; granddaughter Greta Gross; nephews Curtiss Don Henry and Bryan Brown; niece Lisa Brown Williams; and cousins Nyal and Judy Brown. He was preceded in death by his parents Ann Hawthorn, L.T. Brown, stepmother Hazel Brown, and his brother L.T. Brown, Jr.
In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations in Doug’s memory to UT Southwestern Medical Center (https://engage.utsouthwestern.edu/donate-now) or the San Antonio Zoo (https://sazoo.org/donate/).
Doug will be remembered for his faith, his love of family, his sharp wit, and the joy he brought to all who knew him.
