Russell Lemuel Brown

Russell Brown was born August 14, 1926 to L.G. (Gus) and Marie Brown. Russell attended Taft Junior High and Classen High School where he played football and played clarinet in the school orchestra. It was there that he met Phyllis Hellar who was the best friend of his high school sweetheart. After High School, he attended the University of Oklahoma where he was a member of Sigma Chi fraternity. While working as a Tri Delt houseboy Russ fell in love with his friend from Classen, Phyllis. He graduated from OU with a Degree in Business.

Russell and Phyllis were married June 2, 1948 at St. Paul’s Episcopal Cathedral. After graduation Russ worked in the family business, Brown Manufacturing Company, which

was founded by his father in the 1940’s. In 1975, he purchased it from his family and expanded

the business from a residential company to an international commercial products manufacturing

business with clients in Puerto Rico, Europe and the Middle East. He holds numerous patents

for products developed during that time. Russell was named executive of the year by the

National Secretaries Association in 1973. He sold Brown Manufacturing Company and retired in 1991.

Russell was a man of integrity and strong beliefs, and the things he believed, he believed from the bottom of his heart. He took great pride and tremendous joy in his family and was a

generous and loving husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather and great great

grandfather. He was a staunch Republican and supported many conservative causes. He was

a faithful Episcopalian and active member of All Souls Episcopal Church. He was a member of

The Oklahoma City Golf & Country Club for over fifty years, where he was an avid golfer and

charter member of the Dawgs, and won Club Championships in three different decades.

Russell is survived by his devoted wife of 66 years, Phyllis, and 4 children: Becky and husband C.D. Lawson of Edmond; Debby and husband Paul Yarsa of Bartlesville; Rusty and Sarah (Semple) Brown of Denver; and Terri and husband Troy Benear of Oklahoma City. He is

survived by 11 grandchildren: Alix and Kate Benear; Natalie, Georgia and Olivia Brown; Reagan Bratcher, Stacy (Bratcher) Dykstra and husband Chris; Chris Bratcher and wife Jami; Kerri Lawson and husband Scott Johnson; Josh Lawson and wife Jayme; and Lyndsey (Lawson)

Phillips and husband Ryan. He is survived by 13 great grandchildren: Larkin and Caroline

Dykstra, Jessica (Bratcher) Silcott and husband Levi; Amanda, Kami, Mallori, and Halli

Bratcher; Veronica and Madeline Johnson; Easton, Brooklyn and Charli Jane Phillips; and

Kathryn Karter Lawson. He is also survived by two great great grandsons: Barrett and Colt

Silcott, and many cousins and nieces and nephews. Russell was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Stanley and sister in law Virginia(Holcomb) Brown; and his sister Sandra Brown Hamilton. The family wishes to express its deepest appreciation and affection to Russell’s loving care givers: Sheila, Ingrid, Graciana, Candy, Laura, Adeline, Sarah, Jackie, Tamesha, Lonell, Roshunta, Carl, Sophie, and Said. Special thanks to Father Patrick Bright of All Souls Episcopal Church, for his love, support and spiritual guidance for Russell and his family.

A Memorial Service will be held at All Souls Episcopal Church on Tuesday, November 11th, at 3:00pm. A reception will follow the service at The Oklahoma City Golf & Country Club. Charitable donations may be made to All Souls Episcopal Church, or the charity of your choice.