Tommy Brown

In Memory of 1st Sergeant Tommy Howard Brown: ?The Best Storyteller in Scott County? Tommy Howard Brown was born April 14, 1932 to Mack and Jewel Brown of Winfield, AR. He was the oldest of four children. Tommy grew up farming in Winfield running a team of mules behind a plow at 6 years old. He was known to be an outstanding running back starting as a 9th grader under Tom Sawyer. As a teenager he moved to Corcoran, CA and in 1951 was a starting defensive back for their football team who won the first ever 1951 Valley Football Championship. He met the lovely Juanita Saylor in high school and they later married in Corcoran, CA. His children, Lynn and Greg, were born in Corcoran, CA. In 1966, they moved their family back to Waldron, AR. He owned and operated two gas stations which only added to his huge bank of great stories. Later he served as a field tech for Tyson where he routinely brought home buckets of okra, tomatoes, and corn from his growers for a job well done. Tommy was a lifelong Army man starting at age 18 where he served in the Korean War later transferring to the Army National Guard where he rose to the rank of 1st Sergeant of the 296th Medical Company in Charleston, AR. While serving in the Arkansas National Guard he was called to active duty for Operation Desert Storm where he was deployed to Fort Polk, LA. He faithfully wrote letters to his granddaughters and wife keeping up so lovingly with all the happenings back home. He was an honest but fair 1st Sergeant requiring uniforms ironed to perfection, shoes that shined, and brass polished. Tommy enjoyed climbing into Old Blue and letting his dogs run deer or swapping hunting stories at Cripple Creek Camp. He loved the Razorbacks and a good BBQ hamburger. Whether it be at the local café, the lodge, or a family dinner he always had a story ready to entertain his family or friends. He was a strong man of unwavering faith and integrity. His family was his priority and lived his life laughing, aggravating, and making those of us that adored him feel supremely special. Tommy passed away peacefully at Mercy Hospital in Waldron, AR on May 2, 2012 surrounded by those who loved him deeply. Tommy is survived by his sweetheart of 57 years, Juanita. He is also survived by their two children, Lynn and her husband Rick Metcalf of Waldron, AR and Greg Brown of Springdale, AR. He was the greatest ?Papa? or ?Pop? to his grandchildren and great grandchildren who were the light of his life: Allison Slankard and her husband Jeremy of Fayetteville, AR, Ashley Owens of Vilonia, AR and Lindsey Brown of Dallas, TX; great grandchildren, Madalyn, who he nicknamed ?Gladys? and Harper Owens of Vilonia, AR and Isabella and Reid who he called ?Jake? Slankard of Fayetteville, AR. He is also survived by a sister, Elizabeth Coldren of Waldron, AR, a brother Charles and his wife Judy of Plainview, AR, one Aunt Robbie Brown of Waldron, AR and many nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents Mack and Jewel Brown and one brother, Bobby Gene Brown. Honorary pallbearers are: Larry ?Bear? Brigance, Milo Hughes, Jimmy Dale Soloman, Glen Dale Oliver, Steve Self, Rick Metcalf, Jeremy Slankard, Jim Hudgens, Dan Cagle, Jason Stark, Scott Stark, Sheldon Hudgens, Shannon Hudgens, Carlton McConnell, and Roger Sparks. Celebration of his wonderful life will be held on Saturday, May 5th at 2:00 at Heritage Memorial Funeral Home in Waldron, AR officiated by Gaylon Lamb of Prairie Grove, AR. Interment will follow at the Pearson Cemetery in Waldron, Arkansas. Tommy?s visitation will be Friday May 4, 2012 at the Heritage Memorial Funeral Home from 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. The family will receive friends from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Arrangements are being entrusted to the Heritage Memorial Funeral Home & Crematory in Waldron, Arkansas. ?No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those that love him? I Cor 2:9

Tommy Brown

April 14, 1932 - May 2, 2012