With deepest sorrow, we announce that Bryan “Biff” Lee Brown, age 67, our beloved husband, father, Papa, family member, and friend, passed away on Monday, May 25, 2026, in Fort Smith, Arkansas, after a courageous year-long battle with cancer.
Bryan was born on April 26, 1959, in Sherwood, Arkansas, to Patsy Ann and James Edward Brown. He was the loving husband of Debbie Brown and devoted father to Bobbi Godfrey and husband, Brandon of Greenwood, Arkansas; Emily Tyree and husband, Michael of Little Rock, Arkansas; and Kelley Reasnor and husband, Ty of Temple, Texas. Bryan was also a proud Papa to Bobbi and Brandon’s children, Jensen and Kolbi, along with Kelley and Ty’s son Creede whom he loved dearly. He was also looking forward to meeting Emily and Michael’s first born this fall. He was dearly loved by his mother-in-law, Cho Cha Hardenbrook, as well as his brothers, Keith Brown and wife, Darlene of Cabot, Arkansas, Kevin Brown and wife, Brenda of Conroe, Texas, and Paul Brown and wife, Kimberly of Sherwood, Arkansas and many nieces, nephews, extended family members, and friends.
Bryan graduated from Sylvan Hills High School as a member of the Class of 1977. Following high school, he attended the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, where he earned a degree in Mechanical Engineering in the spring of 1982.
After several years in engineering sales, Bryan answered a call to serve his country by joining the Arkansas Air National Guard as a “Flying Razorback” in June of 1984. He attended the Academy of Military Sciences Officer Training in Knoxville, Tennessee, before beginning pilot training at Vance Air Force Base in Enid, Oklahoma. By the end of 1987, Bryan was at the McConnell Air Force Base completing flight training in the F-4 Fighter Jet. Bryan later completed Weapons Systems Officer (WSO) Fighter Lead-In Training at Holloman Air Force Base in Alamogordo, New Mexico, and further specialized as an F-4 Phantom WSO at McConnell Air Force Base in Wichita, Kansas.
While stationed in Wichita, Bryan met a young airman named Debbie who quickly became the love of his life. The two were married on May 28, 1988, beginning a loving partnership that spanned 38 years. Following their marriage, Bryan continued his military training, including F-16 flight training at Luke Air Force Base in Arizona, before being stationed with the 188th Wing in Fort Smith, Arkansas. Over the course of his distinguished military career, Bryan completed 22 years of service, including deployments and assignments in Italy, Croatia, Hawaii, Canada, Alaska, Denmark, Israel, Iraq, and other locations around the world.
As Bryan entered military retirement, he merged into his second career as a pilot for FedEx, where he faithfully served for more than 21 years and logged over 9,000 flight hours. His aviation career allowed him to travel extensively, touching down in 25 different countries across the globe. Bryan retired from FedEx at the age of 65, looking forward to spending more time with Debbie, his daughters, grandchildren, and the many family members and friends he cherished deeply.
In his spare time, Bryan enjoyed working on projects in his shop, flying his single-engine aircraft, riding trails in his Jeep with friends, spending time outdoors, and making memories with those he loved most. His adventurous spirit, dedication to service, and deep love for family will always be remembered by all who knew him.
The family requests your presence at a come-and-go visitation at McConnell Funeral Home, 137 No. Main St., Greenwood, AR on Sunday, May 31 from 2 - 4 p.m., followed by a celebration of life at Fort Smith Elks Lodge #341, 5504 Massard Road Fort Smith, AR 72903, from 6 - 8 p.m.
Funeral service will be 9 a.m., Monday, June 1 at Greenwood First Baptist Church, 19 No. Adair St., Greenwood, Arkansas with burial with military honors at Fort Smith National Cemetery, 522 Garland Avenue in Fort Smith under the direction of McConnell Funeral Home of Greenwood.
Pallbearers will be Keith Brown, Kevin Brown, Paul Brown, Brandon Godfrey, Michael Tyree and Ty Reasnor.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Bryan’s memory to the Lung Cancer Research Foundation https://give.lungcancerresearchfoundation.org/BryanBrown or to Fort Smith Elks Lodge #341, 5504 Massard Road Fort Smith, AR 72903.
