Harvey Edward Brown

With hearts full of love and gratitude, we celebrate the life of Harvey Edward Brown, a remarkable man whose legacy of hard work, integrity, and boundless love touched all who knew him. Born on September 5, 1941. Ed was raised on a farm in Taloga, in western Oklahoma. Ed's early years were shaped by the lessons learned from the land and the values instilled by his self-sustainable, close-knit family. His welcome into the world was a blessing to his family and older sister, Connie. The farm, where they raised cattle and cultivated wheat, was more than just a place to live; it was the foundation of his character, where the seeds of diligence and integrity were sown. From a young age, Ed experienced the joys of simple, rural life, where friendships were forged on horseback rides to visit one another. Growing up in Oklahoma, he learned the ethics that shaped him into a remarkable person. The hard work of farm life gave him a foundation of integrity and resilience that remained with him throughout his life. In 1955, during his freshman year of high school, Ed and his family moved to town. Despite this change, he remained deeply connected to his farm roots. His passion for teamwork and loyalty blossomed during his high school years, where he was an active member of the FFA, played basketball and baseball, and joined the band—not just for the love of music but for the adventure of band trips. In 1959, Ed continued his education at Oklahoma State University (OSU), where he became a member of the Delta Chi fraternity and the ROTC, joining the esteemed Persian Rifles group. He graduated in 1963 with a degree in marketing as a Distinguished Graduate. Shortly after, he began his decorated military career, attending the Officer Basic Course and Airborne Jump School. On December 21, 1963, Ed married the love of his life, Jayne Hallmark, at Camp Creek Nazarene Church. Their love story was one of deep devotion and partnership, a bond that grew stronger with each passing year. Just 13 days after their wedding, Ed was deployed to Berlin and Karlsruhe, Germany, marking the beginning of a series of significant assignments. Despite the challenges of military life, their love endured, a testament to their unwavering commitment to each other. In 1967, Ed was stationed at Aberdeen Proving Ground in Maryland, where their daughter Michelle was born in September. Later that year, he was deployed to Vietnam with the 101st Airborne Division, showcasing his bravery and dedication to his country. In August 1970, while living in Washington DC, Ed and Jayne welcomed their son Michael Edward, further enriching their family. In 1971, Ed was selected to attend OSU for his MBA, demonstrating his commitment to personal growth and excellence. In the summer of 1972, he attended the Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. After completing this rigorous program, Ed returned to the 101st Airborne Division at Fort Campbell, Kentucky for a three-year assignment. His career then took him back to Aberdeen Proving Ground in Maryland. Throughout his military service, Ed was known for his outstanding leadership and unwavering integrity. He served in two combat zones: Vietnam from 1968 to 1969 and Desert Storm in Saudi Arabia from 1991 to 1992. His leadership, integrity, and commitment earned him outstanding reports and the deep respect of his commanders, peers, and soldiers. Ed was a role model, admired for his hard work, teamwork, and the integrity he brought to every aspect of his life. Ed was promoted to Brigadier General in 1990 and was the last Army General with his troops to leave the area after Desert Storm. Despite the demands of his career, Ed always made time for his family. He cherished returning to his childhood hometown of Taloga, particularly for the wheat harvests, class reunions, and hunting trips in the fall. These moments were his favorite vacations, a testament to his enduring connection to his roots and the simple joys of life. Ed's family was his pride and joy, and his love for them was evident in every smile, every laugh, and every moment shared together. After retiring from the military, Ed continued to serve his community with the same dedication and passion he brought to his military career. He became deeply involved in church activities, serving as the building chairman for the Family Life Center and as a district lay leader. His ability to get things done, combined with his deep faith and loyalty, made a lasting impact on his community. Ed's meticulous nature, characterized by his daily to-do lists, ensured that he led an organized and purposeful life. Ed Brown leaves behind a legacy of integrity, faith, and love. He was a beloved husband, father, and friend, whose memory will be cherished by all who knew him. He particularly relished his role as Grandad to his 8 grandchildren - he was their cheerleader and champion, never missing an opportunity to dress up in their team colors and watch them perform or compete. His life lessons, kindness, and unwavering care for others have left an indelible mark on the world. We celebrate the life of Ed Brown, a man whose spirit, love, and dedication have enriched our lives in countless ways. Thank you, Ed, for the life you lived, the lessons you taught us, and the love you shared. Your memory will live on in our hearts forever. Ed is survived by his wife of 60 years, Jayne, daughter Michelle and son-in law, David of Houston, Tx, son Michael and daughter-in-law, Karen of Kingwood, Tx, 8 grandchildren Jeffrey, Ryan, Bailey (Braden), Sarah, Neil, Olivia. Mary and Tyler, sister and brother-in-law, Connie Roan and Brigadier General Jim Roan and numerous nieces, nephews and other extended family. He was predeceased by his parents, Harvey and Loriene Brown of Taloga, Oklahoma. A viewing will be held at the Sam Houston Memorial Funeral Home in Willis, TX (10129 FM 1097 W) on July 19th from 4-6 pm. There will be a private burial for family on the morning of July 20th. Ed’s celebration of life will be on July 20th starting at 3 pm at the First Methodist Church- Willis -Family Life Center – 200 N Thomason St. Willis, Tx. We welcome you to help us celebrate and then share in a time of fellowship and refreshments afterwards. For those desiring to do so, we encourage you to wear something colorful and festive. He loved a fun party! A special thanks to the friends, doctors and caregivers that helped, especially during the last year of Ed’s life. We were particularly blessed by the attention and love of our caregivers, Sharon Matthis and Stefanee Styles from Just Between Seniors Home Care, the medical professionals from the office of Dr. Kyle Scarborough and the team of people from the VA and the Disabled Veterans, especially Roberto Bustamante. Laugh out loud, greet a neighbor, make a new friend and share some M&Ms

Harvey Edward Brown

September 5, 1941 - July 14, 2024