Jack Brown
Jack Lee Brown of Breckenridge, Texas, passed away peacefully on October 22, 2023, a few days after his 88th birthday. Jack was born October 9, 1935, in Harpersville, Texas, to Cecil and Zulu Brown, who were hard working ranchers in Stephens County.
Jack graduated from Breckenridge High School in 1954. He played on the Buckaroo football team that won three state championships, playing alongside his brother, Jerry, and many lifelong friends. Jack was a proud graduate of Texas A&M where he graduated with a degree in entomology in 1958. As a freshman, he was honored to be on the Fish Drill Team. He was a member of the Entomology Society of America and wrote several pieces that were featured in the Texas Aggie Magazine. As a former student, he was a member of the scholarship committee. Anyone who knew Jack, knew that he was most proud to be an Aggie. He wore his Aggie ring until it was smooth on the top, physical proof of his lifelong love for Texas A&M. Jack was an avid sports fan, especially for the fighting Texas Aggies. He often said the Aggies never got beat, just out scored.
Jack always had to have a project. He spent many hours creating over 300 beautiful stained glass pieces of art, which he often gifted to family and friends. He enjoyed making hooked rugs and fleece throws, collecting coins, reading, doing jigsaw puzzles, watching old western movies, feeding the catfish in his stock tank, and taking care of any stray animal that appeared on his doorstep. In later years, he did a lot of work improving the old home place which included killing mesquites and grubbing cactus. This was work but also a hobby for him. Though he had an array of hobbies, his business life was even more diverse. He was the epitome of a hard worker, and was a very successful entrepreneur. He was incredibly proud of the many decades he dedicated to international and domestic resort development. While in Texas, he contributed to the building of a cotton seed delinting plant and the development of peanut chemical formulation companies. Jack was also passionate about his work as a farmer and rancher in Reeves, Eastland and Stephens Counties. In later years, he enjoyed ranching with his nephew, Pat Brown, in Breckenridge on the same land he grew up on. Jack was always very active in the community where he lived. He was a lifelong member of the First Methodist Church in Breckenridge, and he was an avid volunteer in the Cafe Love program that provided meals to the community.
Mr. Brown was preceded in death by his parents, Cecil and Zulu Brown; son, Jay Brown; sister -in-law, Monique Brown; and granddaughter, Michelle Wisdom.
He is survived by his daughter, Tammy Brown and wife Carol of Spring Branch; daughter-in-law, Patsy Brown of Weatherford; brother, Jerry Brown of Breckenridge; sisters, Nancy Brown and Gail Mansheim of Lubbock; nieces and nephews, Nathalie Blades and Jerry Westbrook, Pat and Selina Brown, Gary and Rachel Mansheim and Jerry Mansheim. Jack was very close to his great-nieces and -nephews, Liberty Blades, Quade and Wrook Brown, and Bianca, Pierce and Bridget Mansheim. His pride and joy were his great-grandchildren, Maci, Colt and Case Wisdom, and their dad, Kirk, of Weatherford. He also leaves behind many friends and business associates, including a special associate, Mike Russell, who was in business with Jack for 45 years.
A Celebration of Life service will be held at Morehart Mortuary, 1101 West Walker, Breckenridge, Texas, at 11:30 a.m. on December 2, 2023. Visitation will be held just prior to the service beginning at 11 a.m. at Morehart Mortuary. Interment will be at Harpersville Cemetery, where Jack was a donor and past president.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks donations be made to Alzheimer’s or Cancer research, Texas A&M or a charity of your choice, which may be sent to Morehart Mortuary in Breckenridge in Jack’s name.
A special thanks to the doctors and staff at Hendrick Medical and Hospice Centers in Abilene.
