Philip Eugene Brown

Philip Eugene Brown, 87, of Colleyville, Texas, was welcomed to his eternal home on Sunday, March 5, 2017, in Grapevine, Texas. Phil was born December 14, 1929, in Elkhorn, Wisconsin, to Harvey S. and Vera (Livermore) Brown. Raised on farms in both Wisconsin and Illinois, Phil joined the U.S. Marine Corps in 1948 and served for four years, including deployment on the USS Oriskany during the Korean War. In 1952, he married Marian Wirtz at Ivanhoe, Illinois. Following his discharge, he attended the University of Illinois on the GI Bill, graduating with a Master’s degree in Agriculture Education. Phil taught first at Malta, IL, then at North Boone High School. He and Marian moved to Capron, IL, where they lived for almost 40 years. Following a period as partner and manager of Ralstons, Inc., a feed mill in Caledonia, IL, Phil finished his second Master’s degree at Illinois and returned to teaching in 1970. He taught agriculture at Harvard High School until his retirement in 1990. The FFA bestowed upon him its highest honor, the National Farmer award. He served on numerous committees and boards for the Illinois Association of Vocational Agriculture Teachers, the Capron United Methodist Church, the Village of Capron, the Boone and McHenry County Fairs and the North Boone Rescue Squad. Phil also was a lifelong member of the Masons, the Moose, the Eastern Star and the Shriners. After retiring to Bedford, TX, in 1999, he became active in the Martin United Methodist Church, the Northeast Tarrant Lions Club, and local Masonic organizations. He was predeceased by his loving wife, Marian, in 2014, as well as his parents and siblings, Stanley, Donald, Ralph, Norma Brown, and Mavis Gyger. Survivors include his children, Peggy Brown, of Haltom City, TX, Sandra (Jamal) Mezanazi, of Colleyville, TX, and Michael Brown (George Miller), of Naperville, IL; grandchildren, Leah, Nadia and Brandon Mezanazi; and sister, Bobbie Orr. Phil was honored to have touched and blessed the lives of a vast host of family, friends, students and those in need, both near and far. A celebration of his love and his life will be held at 1:00 pm on March 8 at Martin Methodist Church, 2621 Bedford Road, Bedford, TX. In lieu of flowers, donations to Martin Methodist, the American Cancer Society or Habitat for Humanity are requested.

Arrangements under the direction of NEPTUNE SOCIETY - Fort Worth, Fort Worth, TX.