August 19, 1949 – September 13, 2020
SILVER LAKES – Robert E. Brown, 71, passed away unexpectedly at his home in Silver Lakes Ranch near Sunset, TX. on Sept. 13, 2020.
Robert will be buried at sea with a ceremony by the United States Navy. It will take place when the ship is deployed out of the Port of San Diego/Coronado Island where he did his basic.
Robert was born August 19, 1949 in Cleburne, TX. to Robert H. and Mary (Smith) Brown, grandson to “Gilley” Brown. All whom have preceded him in death.
He graduated from Cleburne High School in 1967 where he was voted “most flirtatious” of his senior class. He proudly served his country in the U.S. Navy as a “Frogman,” Underwater Demolition Team 11, in Vietnam from 1967 to 1969. During that time, “Brown Aye,” as his team called him, was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal twice, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Combat Action Ribbon and the Basic Parachute Insignia. He was thankful for the Navy as they taught him scuba diving and survival skills. As an avid scuba diver he used those skills until the day he passed even getting his grandson Carson certified diving at age 10.
He retired with 38 years of service from the ATSF/BNSF Rwy. Co. in August 2008. He started on a signal gang and worked his way up through the ranks retiring as a director. He attended Montague County Cowboy Church after he moved to Silver Lakes Ranch in 2007. He loved his SLR and MCCC “families” and in return was definitely loved by them! He was known as a kind, generous, funny and loving guy by all that were fortunate enough to have known him through the years. No one was a stranger to him. He was “bigger than life itself!”
Robert is survived by his wife, Debra K. Goodson, Silver Lakes Ranch; stepmother, Betty Brown, Dallas; mother-in-law, Loretta Bailey, Fort Madison, IA; siblings, Rita “Skeeter” Tidwell and Richard (Mary) Brown, both of Cleburne; step-siblings, Jerry (Christine) Holley, Carol Vathis, both of Dallas, Beth (Biff) Rippenkroeger and Jeff (Jackie) Walsinger both of Fort Madison, IA.; son, Dasan Brown, Alvarado; daughter, Dawn (Jerry) Chaparro, Fairview; grandchildren, Alecia Rene, South Carolina, Jerry Padilla, Fort Worth, Adam Elarnaouty, Lake Dallas and Carson Brown, his “special dive buddy,” Alvarado; three great-grandchildren; five nephews; three nieces; several great-nieces and nephews; great friend, Mike Elarnaouty, Lake Dallas; dog, Jessie; and cat, Marmalade.
Donations may be made in his name to: Bowie Animal Shelter 1504 E. Wise St. Bowie.
Arrangements entrusted to The White Family Funeral Home of Bowie.
Paid Publication