Graveside services for Donald Max Brown will be held 2:00 P.M. Sunday, July 25th, at Bomar Cemetery in the Raus Community, Don Harrison officiating. Hillcrest Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Donald, loving husband and father passed away July 8, 2021 at Featherstone Assisted Living, Moore, Oklahoma, holding hands with his dear wife of 60 years.
He was born February 17, 1939 in Shelbyville to William "Jack" and Ruby (Prince) Brown. Don worked on the family dairy farm, attended Shelbyville High School and enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in 1961. He achieved the rank of E-4 Airman First Class after serving in Libya during the Vietnam War era.
On December 21, 1962 he married Bonnie Bell Harrison of Shelbyville in Wartrace. Discharged from the USAF at Dye AFB, Texas (1966), he attended Abilene Christian College and earned a BA in Greek, New Testament. In 1979 he began serving Oklahoma's families as a social worker with the Department of Human Services. After 25 years, he retired in 2003 as a Noble County Administrator in Perry, Okla. Don lived with his wife in Perry for 27 years and raised three daughters, Mary Boren, Norman, Okla.; Melissa Hanke, Clarendon Hills, Ill.; and Amanda Carr. Moore, Okla. Having a passion for service, Don was a house parent with his wife at the Tipton Children's Home (1976), Society for the Preservation of BarberShop Quartet Singing in America and Lions Club member. As Elder for the Perry Church of Christ, he enjoyed leading songs, preaching and devotionals.
As a sportsman, he loved baseball, football, fishing and birdwatching. He played baseball at Shelbyville Central High School and watched all of his daughters' high school basketball games. As a nature lover, he traveled annually with his beloved wife Bonnie throughout the Great Northwest and state of Washington where he enjoyed fishing and time with family. Later in life, he watched birds through his window in Perry, Norman and Moore. He was known for his dry sense of humor, funny one-liners and humble way of serving family, church and his community.
Don was preceded in death by his parents, sister Aleda, brother Tommy and nephew Jimmy, all from Shelbyville. He is survived by his wife Bonnie, three daughters, Mary, Melissa and Amanda and several grandchildren, great-nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Bomar Cemetery, c/o Joyce Bomar King, 3835 Hwy. 130, Tullahoma, TN 37388 or to Raus School Restoration c/o Raus Community Improvement Club (CIC), P.O. Box 100, Tullahoma, TN 37388.
