Dr. Donald Lloyd Brown, lovingly known to all as “Brownie” passed peacefully on to be with his Lord on October 13, 2024. He was 78 years old.
Brownie gave his life to Jesus in 1972, he was a faithful husband, a loyal friend, a supportive father and grandfather as well as a kind and generous man. He was a member of First Alliance Church (Mansfield Alliance Church) where he served as elder, greeter, youth leader, and small group leader. For 34 years, every Wednesday morning at 6 am he unlocked the doors and set up chairs for men’s prayer. His legacy was lived out in his quiet dedication to his family and church as well as his steady faith.
On September 7th, he celebrated 56 years of marriage to his high school love Shirley Raye Brown, fondly known as “Chip”.
He was born in Dayton, Ohio on April 3, 1946 to Oscar and Pearl Brown. He graduated from Huber Heights Wayne High School in the class of 1964. After high school, Brownie went on to THE Ohio State University where he earned his Doctorate in Optometry and served as captain for the first men’s volleyball team earning four year collegiate varsity letters.
After graduation from college, Brownie served as a Captain in the United States Army for two years and was stationed in Fort Eustis, Virginia.
Chip and Brownie settled in Mansfield, Ohio in 1972, and purchased the Borden Burger building on Lexington Avenue to set up his optometry practice where he faithfully served the Mansfield and surrounding communities until the age of 75 when he retired.
To say athletics were important to Brownie is an understatement. He lived and breathed sports. In addition to playing volleyball, he coached baseball, was an umpire, and in his later years spent most evenings watching and cheering for his grandkids in many sporting events- always with a tootsie pop! He was an avid Ohio State football fan, with season tickets for 50 years. He attended most home games and could remember any play from any game from any year. In high school, he played different sports every season and remained an avid softball player for his church league.
Health and fitness were important and every Monday through Friday at 10 am for over 40 years you would find him working out and sharing his faith at the Mansfield area YMCA.
He enjoyed traveling, fishing trips to Canada, movies, spending time with friends and eating out.
He is survived by his wife Shirley Raye (Hallum) Brown, his three sons Kevin and Susie (Staich) Brown, Ken Brown, and Kim and Tricia (Forster) Brown; eight grandchildren, Jacob Brown, Hannah Brown, Stephen and Addalyn (Patrick) Brown, Hallee Brown, Kelsi Brown, Jaxon Brown, Ava Brown and Sofia Brown; and one great grandchild on the way; a sister Cherri (Brown) and Greg Hensley, sister-in-law Linda Brown, and many nieces and nephews. He would also want mentioned his beloved labrador, Sadie.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother Bill Brown, sister Beverly (Brown) Centers, and sister Laverne, niece Wendy Centers, as well as his beloved labradors Shadoe, Blazer, Quinsee, Bella and Chloe.
A Celebration of Brownie’s Life and memorial service will be held on Saturday, October 19, 2024 at 6:00pm at Mansfield Alliance Church (291 West Cook Rd. Mansfield, Ohio 44907). Pastor Dale Patrick will officiate. The Brown family will receive guests prior to the funeral service from 3:00 to 6:00pm.
In lieu of flowers the family kindly requests that donations be made to: preventblindness.org.
Snyder Funeral Homes is honored to oversee Brownie’s arrangements and to care for his family during this time.
Funeral Home: Lexington Avenue Snyder Funeral Home
Website: www.snyderfuneralhomes.com