Sonny will be lovingly remembered by his wife of 51 years, Janet Ratcliff Brown, and their three children, Richard Brown (Julia), Jamie Brown (Kyle Hamblin) and Melanie Brown (Luis Grijalva); grandchildren, Taylor, Lauren, Austin and Zada Brown, Ava and Taylor Moore, and Pierce and Ellison Hamblin; brother, Todd Brown (Tanesha), sister, Missy Johnson (Paul); brother-in-law, Steve Ratcliff (Debbie); nieces, Cameron Brown, Kristi Johnson Rojas (Matt), Christie Ratcliff Short (James) and Marcie Ratcliff Thames (Damon); nephews, Cole Brown, Brandon Johnson (Whitney) and Stephen Ratcliff (Summer); and mother-in-law, Rita Ratcliff. Sonny was pre-deceased by his parents of Lafayette, LA, Jacqueline and Wallace H. Brown, Sr.
Sonny was born in Homer, LA and grew up in Lafayette, LA. After graduating from Lafayette High School, he married his high school sweetheart, Janet, and together, they set off for Shreveport, LA, where Sonny embarked on a career in the oil industry, specializing in down hole and fishing tool services. In the 50 years that followed, Sonny’s work took him across the United States and more than 80 countries throughout Europe, the Middle East, Far East, South America and Africa, where he made many life-long friends. During this time, he and his family lived in Louisiana (Shreveport), Texas (Waco, Montgomery), Pennsylvania (Coudersport), West Virginia (Clarksburg), Alaska (Anchorage), Singapore, Spain (Mallorca, Barcelona), Algeria (Algiers, Hassi Massoud), the United Arab Emirates (Dubai), Oman (Muscat), and North Dakota (Williston). Sonny always packed “light,” never knowing where his job or a potential opportunity might lead, but he mostly enjoyed time at home with family, friends and his dachshunds. Sonny retired in 2016 at age 65 in Montgomery, TX. He is a member of The Church of the North Shore in Bentwater.
For those who knew him (as a father, husband, family member or friend), Sonny took a tough but practical approach. He valued hard work, commitment, perseverance, attention to detail and preparedness, most of all. His kids will remember his many “rainy day” lessons, which ranged from small tips on car maintenance to advice on gardening, career choices, work and life. His friends will remember his dry sense of humor, guidance, troubleshooting, mentorship and reliable, steadfast ear. And, all will remember his fish fries, shrimp boils and barbecues.
A graveside service will be held in Shreveport, LA at Centuries Memorial Funeral Home on Wednesday, March 3rd at 1:00 PM. Donations can be made in Sonny’s memory to the MD Anderson Cancer Center (Uveal Melanoma).
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