Mr. Donnie R Brown's Obituary
Donnie R. Brown, who lit up every room he entered with his warm heart and belly laugh, died unexpectedly on Sunday, May 22, 2016. He was 56. Donnie’s most important role was leader and caretaker to his family. He was the rock (and the roll). Every Sunday morning he took his Dad, Henry, to breakfast at Kelly’s. Donnie was everything and everywhere for his kids and grandkids. He cheered on Clayton, Dylan, and Jonathan in baseball and football, carted them to practice, and rarely missed a game. For Garrett and Luke, when Pawpaw visited them in Colorado, he made sure they never forgot it. He took them to the toy store, and told them they could have whatever they wanted. And he meant it. To his brother Jimmy, Donnie was his partner in crime and best friend. Donnie adored his big brother; he cried when Jimmy got married and moved out. Through adulthood, not a week went by that they weren’t together.
“Uncle Donnie” would keep your secrets and tell you things your parents wouldn’t. He was the confidant you could talk to about anything. “Coach Donnie” led the Pearland Patriots to the Little League Super Bowl for years. He followed his former players and was so proud of their accomplishments in college sports and the NFL.
Donnie married Mary Beth “Betsy” Brown, his high school sweetheart on May 20, 1983. Mary Beth died in 2011, after battling cancer. Donnie died two days after what would have been their 33rd anniversary.
Donnie is survived by his father, Henry Brown, Jr., his brother, Jimmy Brown, and his children Mary Syble Brown Atkinson and Dustin Atkinson (grandsons Clayton, Dylan, and Jonathan), Doralou Brown and David Draper, and Donnie Brown, Jr. and Rachael Brown (grandsons Garrett and Luke).
Donnie lived a life that demonstrated his heart. If you were sick, he would nurse you to health. If you wanted to have a good time, he was the full-out-fun, life of the party. Whatever it was you needed, you could count on him to deliver. He loved life, every second of it.
A Funeral Service will be held Friday, May 27, 2016 at 3:00 PM at SouthPark Funeral Home with a visitation starting the same day at 10:00 AM.
What’s your fondest memory of Donnie?
What’s a lesson you learned from Donnie?
Share a story where Donnie's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Donnie you’ll never forget.
How did Donnie make you smile?
