One of my favorite field trips was led by Larry Brown to nearby locations west of Houston.  He showed us a flower that blooms underground, just off the I10 highway.


On behalf of the Big Thicket Association please accept our heartfelt sympathy with the  passing of Dr. Brown.  Dr. Brown was  a joy to be in the field with and offered so much to others for learning about the native flora of our state. His inventory work of the Big Thicket National Preserve and other conservation lands in southeast Texas remains of value for ecologists and land managers.  I personally will miss his quiet, but spirited demeanor, his wry smile and twinkle of the eye!  A fun person indeed. He always was quick to help on a plant ID or have a chat on plant ecology. He will be missed!   May you find comfort in each other, good memories, and the beauty of our natural world. 

Wendy Jo Ledbetter Executive Director, BTA

I met Larry at the Armand Bayou Nature Center in 1976.  Always enjoyed being with him and having the opportunity to learn new plants.  From the 80's and 90's Texas Wilderness Pow Wow gatherings to the more recent  NPSOT field trips, good times and good memories were had.  He will be missed by our family.

Whenever Dr. Larry Brown is mentioned, I first think of his wry smile and that true twinkle in his eye. I will forever treasure my memories of him as the most forbearing teacher and playful mentor. He introduced me to East Texas flora and he is the reason I've become so familiar with and gained so much appreciation for native plants. He's the real deal, in both scientific and human terms! Much love and gratitude to him and his family for sharing a genuine, unique soul with the community. 

I can still remember hunting for Texas prairie dawn with Dr. Brown early in my career. I learned so much those few days.  Truly a wonderful teacher.  He will be missed. 

Today is his birthday and I can only think to myself and dream of all the good times with him, he was my father figure, he was the person I looked up to more than anyone else and I just wish he could see me today and be proud of who I am and what I’m doing, I will forever love my grandpa💙

Dr. Brown was a walking, talking plant encyclopedia!  My most fond memories of Dr. Brown involve him chowing down on some poison ivy, delighting in the 'salad bags' we would bring him of plants to identify, and enlightening us all with his vast knowledge! He helped us out on several large projects including Big Thicket National Preserve, Brazos Bend State Park, and Justin Hurst Wildlife Management Area to name a few! 

I had the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to take a multi-day field trip through South Texas to Big Bend and back with Larry and a few others.  What that man did not know about Texas plants would fit in a teaspoon.  I consider myself fortunate now to be working with his many, many specimens housed at the TAES Herbarium at Texas A&M.  His contributions to botany will be a lasting testament to his knowledge, dedication, and outreach.  Rest in peace, and I hope there are new plants in heaven for you to marvel at.

The staff and volunteers of Mercer Botanic Gardens send our sincere sympathy to Dr. Brown’s family. Dr. Brown has been part of the Mercer Botanic Gardens ‘family’ for decades.  Dr. Brown has been one of the most influential professionals for the development of Mercer’s herbarium, botanical reference and native plant collections and programs. We will always remember his sincere friendship, generosity and mentorship. He will be greatly missed and never forgotten.

On behalf of everyone in Spring Branch ISD, we send our thoughts, prayers and condolences to Dr. Brown's family. We were grateful for his many years of unique work to build an amazing collection of native plants through the Herbarium he nurtured with so much love and care. We are grateful to the Mercer Arboretum for continuing to nurture Dr. Brown's legacy and life's work.   
-- Linda Buchman, Assoc. Superintendent for Community Relations

Just heard the sad news that we lost this great man. We spent many memorable hours in the field and herbarium together. He was a great friend and mentor. I'll miss him.

I don’t know if anyone truly understands the relationship between a grandpa and grandson, but for me my grandpa was my dad, my best friend, my papa , he was my hero in my eyes and I just really wish I could of seen or talked to him just one more time I will forever miss you papa I love you 💙🤞🏼

I have missed seeing Larry (aka Dr. Brown) during the last few years, and I am filled with sadness to know that he has passed away.  I always loved walking through the prairie at Willow Waterhole with him.  His face lit up when he saw remarkable plants!  He was a kind and gentle teacher with an unending passion for sharing his wealth of knowledge.  What a loss for the Houston community.  He will be greatly missed. 

Here is a photo of Larry in his element - imparting his limitless plant knowledge to Dan Schertz, at Willow Waterhole.

I loved my grandfather greatly he served as a father figure in my life as well as an influence for my love of the outdoors. 

Dr. Brown and I went on many trips to ID plants together in the field for our work. I would always look forward to those biannual trips, and he taught me so much. He’d always show up with an old school cassette walkman and headphones, and would outlast me in the heat despite being 45yrs my senior. He would become so enthusiastic even when identifying the most ordinary species and had a great sense of humor that caught me off guard many times. I am fortunate to have been able to learn from and know Dr. Brown. He will be greatly missed. 

OBITUARY

Larry Eugene Brown

July 16, 1937 – July 2, 2020

Brookside Funeral Home-Cypress Creek

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