Born in Hot Springs, Arkansas on June 28, 1923 to Willie D. and Jessie Owens Brown, he grew up in Arkansas , Oklahoma , Texas , Oregon and New Mexico , where he met his wife of 54 years, Jo Ella, who preceded him in death on October 18, 2002.
Mr. Brown served in the US Navy from Dec 16, 1941 until Nov 7, 1947. He served as a radioman in the Pacific on the USS Vestal during most of WWII. After several other Naval duty stations he was assigned to the Supply ship USS Merrick which was part of the Task Force for Operation Highjump, Admiral Byrd’s expedition to the South Pole in 1946 & 47. Prior to reaching the Antarctic he was transferred to the USS Mount Olympus the Task Force Flagship. After discharge from the Navy, he married and moved to Panama, Canal Zone as an air traffic controller for the CAA, which became the FAA, where he was a supervisor until his retirement. Mr. Brown transferred from Panama to Longview, Texas, then New Orleans and finally Houston in 1965. He and his wife returned to live in New Orleans for a brief time after his retirement, but later returned to live in Houston to be closer to their children and grandchildren.
He was an avid runner and tennis player. He and his wife, Jo Ella, were avid Square Dancers and enjoyed going to the horse races. Prior to being placed in an Assisted Living Facility he was a regular at VFW POST 8790 and was a life member of the Elks Lodge.
Mr. Brown was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Opal Pearl Brown; two brothers, Tom and A.W (Dub) Brown; and his beloved Jo Ella. He is survived by his twin sister, Ona Loyce Kelley, and younger sister Williadeen McGinnis; his daughter, Linda Harris and husband John; son Royce Brown and wife Julie; son Ronny Brown and wife Sandy; 9 grandchildren; 8 great grandchildren - and numerous nieces and nephews. He loved his family and will be greatly missed by all.
The family would like to express appreciation to the caregivers at Colonial Oaks Memory Care and Ahmed Hospice. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Alzheimer’s Foundation, the 5-p Minus Society, or, the charity of your choice.
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