Gaylon Leonard Brown

 

Gaylon Leonard Brown

February 1, 1937 – June 26, 2014

 

Gaylon Brown left his earthly home and ascended into his Heavenly home on June 26, 2014. Gaylon was born on February 1, 1937, in McPherson, Kansas to George Marvin and Grace Mae Brown. At the age of 15, Gaylon moved with his family to Norman, OK where he graduated from Norman High School. During his years in high school, Gaylon played quarterback on the football team and was a pitcher for the baseball team. His talents in football landed him a scholarship at the University of Kansas. When his tenure of football was over, Gaylon returned to Norman and completed his degree at the University of Oklahoma where he was a member of the Sigma Chi Fraternity. During his time at OU, he joined the ROTC graduating as a Lieutenant. After 6 weeks of training at Ft. Benning Georgia, he attended the Airborne School and upon completion was sent to Korea for a sixteen month tour. When his tour ended, he returned to Norman and went to work for Texaco Oil. A large part of his career was spent working for various oil entities including Devon Energy and Kerr McGee. A short part of his working career was spent working in banking and securities. Gaylon served the victims of Hurricane Katrina working with FEMA, which was a very rewarding experience.

Gaylon married the love his life, Bobby Lynn Brown, in 1969. In 1972, Gaylon and Bobby were blessed with their first child, a daughter, Dayna Lynn, and shortly thereafter in 1973, they were blessed once again with a son, George Anderson “Andy” Brown. Gaylon and family attended Chapel Hill Methodist Church in OKC but upon their move to Edmond, they joined the First Presbyterian Church of Edmond. For a short time prior to his illness, he attended Crossings Community Church in OKC. Gaylon loved the Lord and served Him well.

Gaylon was loved not only by his family but by many friends and co-workers. Besides his love for the “Sooners”, Gaylon was athletic and competitive and spent a lot of time playing golf and tennis, as well as working out and doing aerobics. In later years, Gaylon enjoyed being a grandfather, “Pops”, to his five beautiful grandchildren, Truman, Tallulah and George Wallace and, Owen and Ashlyn Brown. Gaylon loved his family, as well as his many friends and relatives. He was preceded in death by his parents, George and Grace Brown and his brother, George Brown.

Gaylon is survived by his devoted wife, Bobby; daughter, Dayna Brown and her 3 children and, son Andy and daughter-in-law Melissa Brown and their 2 children. Besides his immediate family, he is also survived by sister-in-law, Mary Ann Brown, Kingwood, TX, 3 nieces, Kelly Hammons, Connie Van Geisen and Kathy Baker; nephews George and Kyle Brown; and his special “Brown” cousins, Wanda Johnson and Homer Brown. On his wife’s side he is survived by sister-in-law Sherry Chiles and husband, Leo, and their son, James and wife Paige, daughter Casey Stiver and husband Darrel.

The family would like to thank the wonderful staff at the Epworth Memory Care Unit for their love and compassion in their care of Gaylon during his battle with Alzheimer’s. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you please consider a donation in Gaylon’s memory to the Alzheimer’s Association, Oklahoma and Arkansas Chapter, Inc., 6465 S. Yale, Ste. 312, Tulsa, OK, 74136.

A celebration of Gaylon’s life will be held Monday, June 30, 2014, at 2:00 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church in Edmond, 1001 S. Rankin with interment to follow at Chapel Hill Cemetery.