Richard Clark Brown
On Tuesday, October 1, 2019, Richard “Dick” Brown, loving husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather, passed away peacefully at the age of 89.
Dick was born on July 3, 1930 in Pratt, Kansas to Clark and Charlotte Brown. He spent most of his formative years growing up on a farm outside Haviland, Kansas. While attending school in Haviland, Dick met and fell in love with JoAn Fankhauser. They were married in JoAn’s family home on August 27,1950. Two years later, they graduated from Kansas State University where Dick earned a business degree. He was hired by Gulf Oil Corporation right out of college, but his employment was briefly interrupted by two years of service as a first lieutenant in the United States Air Force. Between Dick’s military assignments and 34 years of employment with Gulf Oil, his family relocated sixteen times to seven different states. They finally landed in Spring, Texas, where he and JoAn lived since 1981. After retiring from Gulf/Chevron, he worked for five years as Human Resources Director for Swift Energy.
Dick and JoAn were best friends and shared over 67 wonderful years together. They raised three sons, Mark, Craig, and Alan, and two daughters, Susan and Janet. They were loyal K-State fans and regularly watched their alma mater’s sporting events with great intensity. They enjoyed travelling to visit children and grandchildren, and always took great pride in attending current school, sports, and other special family events.
Dick was an avid golfer and golf enthusiast for over 60 years, which included a 30-year membership to Panorama Golf Club in Conroe, TX. He enjoyed playing golf with his sons and grandkids whenever they came to visit.
Dick was a member of Kiowa County Masonic Lodge for over 60 years, belonged to Kiwanis Club, and regularly met with a group of Gulf retirees. He was proud to be a volunteer and committeeman for the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo for over 20 years. During the ‘80s and ‘90s, he and JoAn enjoyed many square-dancing events with Bluebonnet Squares.
Dick was raised in the Haviland Friends Church. After he and JoAn married, he joined the Methodist denomination and was an active member for 69 years, serving the church in countless leadership roles. One of his passions was singing, and he sang in church choirs and performed solos throughout his life. His church family was an extremely important part of his life, and he was involved in numerous activities at Klein UMC. Most recently Dick enjoyed Covenant Keepers, attending Seekers Sunday School class, JOY group, and serving as a volunteer partner for The Gathering. He was a kind and gracious man who had a heart for helping others.
Dick was preceded in death by wife JoAn, son Alan, and parents. He is survived by sisters Marilyn Smith, and Connie Chambers (Max); children Mark Brown (Emily) of Plano, TX, Craig Brown (Ellen) of Houston, TX, Susan Marshall of Burleson, TX and Janet Whalen (Tim) of St. Louis, MO. Dick was extremely proud of his nine grandchildren. They are Katie Lancarte (Neal) of Fort Worth, TX, Mary Jo Major (Paul) of Washington, D.C., Bryan Brown (Grace) of Kansas City, MO, James Brown (Madeline) of Houston, Ben Marshall of Frisco, TX, Patrick Whalen of Maui, HI, Victoria Brown of Houston, Connor Whalen of St. Louis, and Sarah Whalen of St. Louis. He was also blessed with two great-grandsons, James Russell and Samuel Major, and great-granddaughter, Parker Brown.
A memorial service will be held at Klein United Methodist Church in Spring, Texas on Saturday, October 19, 2019 at 2:00 p.m. with a reception following the service.
Donations in lieu of flowers, may be made to:
Klein UMC Music Program:
https://www.kleinumc.org/more-about-e-giving
Choroideremia Research Foundation:
https://www.curechm.org/
The Brown family would like to give a heartfelt “thank you” to Klein UMC clergy and staff, and the Seekers class for their love, friendship, and support which has been such a comfort to Dick and our entire family. We would also like to thank Dick’s longtime neighbors, Don Resseguie and Danny Green for their invaluable help. A special thank you to Dr. Jessica Brown, Dick’s cardiologist, for her professional guidance and commitment to Dick’s care.
Saturday, October 19, 2019
Starts at 2:00 pm
Klein United Methodist
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