Larry Don Brown, 77, passed away peacefully on Monday, June 15, at his home in Huntsville, Texas, surrounded by family. Larry was born on May 8, 1949, the third son of James Robert and Dessie Gwendolyn Brown, who preceded him in death, along with his older brothers, Truman and Robert Brown, his wife, Dona Brown, and his grandson, Christopher Barrow.
Few things mattered more to Larry than family, which he defined by love rather than lineage. Growing up with seven siblings in the piney woods of Cleveland, Texas, he learned early the value of hard work, the importance of showing up for others, and developed a lifelong love of the outdoors.
The lessons and passions of those early years never left him. Whether beside a campfire at the deer lease, on the water running a trout line, smoking a brisket on the BBQ pit, on a porch swing listening to rain on a tin roof, or three-stepping on a sawdust-sprinkled dance floor, Larry was happiest doing those things with the people he loved.
He took great pride in caring for others and was the first call for countless family members and friends when help was needed. No matter the hour or circumstance – personal, practical, or unexpected – Larry showed up when it mattered most. Called “Mr. Fix It” by his mother, he was a gifted and resourceful problem solver who could fix nearly anything.
Inspired by his high school agriculture teacher, Don Knox, to attend college, Larry moved to Huntsville to attend Sam Houston State University (SHSU) and, in 1972, became the first in his family to graduate with a college degree.
He worked through high school at Meekins Grocery Store, often bringing treats home to his younger siblings, and at Champion Paper Company, alongside his college roommate and best friend, while attending SHSU.
Larry devoted more than 35 years of service to his alma mater, where his generosity and dependability earned him the respect and admiration of colleagues and coworkers. He served in several roles during his career, retiring in 2010 as Grounds Manager, and continued to be a source of knowledge and expertise long after retirement.
A lifetime member of the Walker County Fair Association, Larry served in numerous leadership and committee roles while proudly supporting his daughters’ participation in livestock and other projects.
Larry shared 22 years of marriage with Linda Crow Watts, whom he met during college, and whose steadfast faith and devotion to family helped shape the values passed on to their children. In the years that followed, they remained connected through family, friendship, and a shared commitment to those they loved.
Later in life, Larry found lasting companionship with his high school classmate, Dona, with whom he shared 25 years of marriage. He cherished the family he gained through their union and developed a particularly close bond with Dona’s son, Jim Bob Davis, whose enduring support brought him laughter, companionship, and comfort in his later years.
Larry is survived by his daughters, Chrissy Mafrige-Cogdell and husband, Blake, of Montgomery, TX, Jeannie Anderson and husband, Douglas, of Rio Grande City, TX, Rebecca Watts of Galveston, TX, and Ashley Bullock and husband, Bobby, of Florence, MS; siblings, Thelma Mooney, Ernest Brown, and Molly Currie of Huntsville, and Martha Scalco and husband, Troy, of Katy; 12 grandchildren, Lauryn Evans-Barrow (Christopher), Dustin (Kassidy), Stephen (Amber), and Dylan (Hannah) Price, Cameron (Abbie) and Kelsey Cogdell, Jamil Coleman, Ethan (Mireya) and Natalie Anderson, Hunter and Daniel Watts, Brennon and Addisyn Bullock; 15 great grandchildren and numerous nieces, nephews and cherished family members and faithful friends.
Through his marriage to Dona Gay Brown, he will also be remembered by Wendy Ingram (Mike), Jim Bob (Jackie) and Justin Davis; six grandchildren, Christian Adams (Michael), Erin (Gilbert) and Kaitlin Ingram, and Korben, Karleigh and Parker Davis; and eight great-grandchildren.
Visitation will be held on Monday, June 22, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Heritage Oaks Funeral Home in Huntsville, TX.
Pastor Reagan Cooksey will preside over the funeral services held on Tuesday, June 23, at 11 a.m. at Northside Baptist Church in Huntsville, TX. A luncheon for friends and family will immediately follow.
Memorial Scholarship
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Larry Don Brown Memorial Scholarship Fund at Sam Houston State University. Established in Larry’s memory, the scholarship will assist students studying Plant and Soil Science at Sam Houston State University while honoring his lifelong love of gardening and his years of devoted service maintaining the beauty of the Sam Houston State University Campus.
Gifts may be made online or made payable to SUSU and mailed to:
Division of University Advancement
Sam Houston State University
P.O. Box 2537
Huntsville, TX 77341-2537
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