Jerry Brown
September 3, 1944 ~ April 6, 2022 (age 77)

To the sorrow of his family and friends, Jerry Brown, passed away on Wednesday, April 6, 2022, in Tyler, Texas. Jerry was born on September 3, 1944 in Dallas, Texas to James Romie and Cleo Brown, née Williams.

He grew up in Farmers Branch with his older brother James Kenneth Brown and older sister Janice Sue Hosey, née Brown. Jerry graduated from R. L. Turner High School in 1963 in Carrollton, Texas. He joined the US Army July 26, 1965. As an enlisted soldier he spent two years as a drill sergeant in Fort Polk, Louisiana and one overseas tour in Korea at Camp Casey with 2d Battalion, 31st Infantry. He was honorably discharged as a sergeant in 1967 from Fort Hood, Texas. He began working for Texas Instruments in the same year where he was employed for 31 years, retiring in 1999. In 1970 he married Margaret Sylvia Navejar and in December 1975 they welcomed their only child, a daughter, Christina “Christy” Leigh Brown. In 1983 Jerry moved to Ovilla, Texas with Margaret and Christy. He resided there until 2006 when he moved to Bullard, Texas on Lake Palestine where he lived alone until his death.

Jerry also had many hobbies and interest in life that he pursued. In his early years he liked to drag race and was a motorcycle enthusiast and a natural at billiards. He was an all-around athlete that excelled in multiple sports with basketball being his passion. So much so, he founded the Pee-Wee Basketball League in Red Oak, Texas so that he may share his love for the sport with his daughter and the youth of the community. When basketball season was over, he would assist his best friend, James Barnes, in girls fast-pitch softball. An avid fan of westerns, he could recite lines before characters could deliver them. Jerry was also an enthusiastic angler who took great joy in teaching his granddaughter, Maggie to catch her first fish at three-years-old. He had volunteered many of his hours to the Shadybrook Community where he lived and the Tyler Salvation Army to serve Thanksgiving dinners.

Jerry was a beloved brother, father, grandfather, and a great friend who will be missed. He will be remembered by all who knew him for years and years to come. We will all remember his smile, laugh, humor, honesty and compassion.

Jerry is survived by his daughter, Christina Leigh Brown-King and her husband Michael Lee King; grandchildren Sierra Marie Burden, James Christian Burden, and Margherita "Maggie" Diane Brown-King; sister Janice Sue Hosey. Jerry is preceded in death by his father and mother James Romie and Cleo Brown, and brother James Kenneth Brown.

To honor the life of Jerry, a celebration of life will be held on Monday, April 25 at 6:00 pm at Shadybrook Club House. Jerry will be laid to rest Tuesday, April 26, at 1:15pm at DFW National Cemetery.