Robert Junior Brown

1930 - 2022

ODESSA - Robert Junior Brown was born in Troup, Texas, on July 13, 1930, to Robert Judas Brown and Lorea Mae Hair Brown. He passed away at Odessa Regional Medical Center in Odessa, Texas, on Saturday, February 5, 2022, at the age of 91.

Robert's family moved to Odessa, Texas, in 1936. They owned and operated Brown's Service Station at the corner of 10th and Grant. Robert attended Odessa schools, graduating from Odessa High School in 1947 and Odessa College in 1975. He always believed in hard work and honesty, demonstrating both in his job at his dad's station as a young man, and throughout his life, passing those attributes along to his sons.

In 1949, Robert met the love of his life, LaWanda Marie Huckaby, at the swimming pool at the Midland Air Terminal, when he was 19 and she was 16. They eloped to Carlsbad, New Mexico, on February 5, 1950, keeping their marriage a secret from their parents until LaWanda graduated from Midland High School in May of that year. Robert and LaWanda celebrated their 72nd Wedding Anniversary on Saturday, February 5, 2022. Always in love, romantic at heart, and never forgetting an anniversary, Robert remarked that day how blessed his life had been by his marriage to LaWanda.

After marrying, Robert and LaWanda settled in Odessa, and two years later, the Brown's started their family of four boys. In 1960, Robert went to work for The Odessa Fire Department. His belief in hard work and honesty took him from being a firefighter to the rank of Battalion Chief. He considered those who worked with him to be his extended family, often referring to them as "my boys". Robert retired from The Odessa Fire Department in 1988, after 28 years of dedicated service to his community. He continued to enjoy the companionship, love and respect of his fellow firefighters for the remainder of his life.

Robert loved playing softball as a young man, with both the city and church leagues. He was always dedicated to his family and loved nothing better than time spent with LaWanda, their sons and their families. Lots of wonderful memories were made at the lake house at Lake J.B. Thomas when the boys were growing up. Later, it was "the farm" that became the center of family gatherings. With over 800 pecan trees, a shady pond, various farm animals and lots of room to roam, grandchildren and great-grandchildren loved to visit Granddaddy and Grandmother. Robert was an avid hunter and fisherman. Robert and LaWanda shared many good times hunting at the American Sportsman's Club and various leases throughout Texas. Fishing trips to Hord's Creek with the Fireman's Reunion and to Lake Amistad with family were the sources of some great fish stories. At home on the farm, Robert loved raising, gathering and shelling his award-winning pecans, as well as growing a huge garden every year, and sharing his bounty with family and friends. His garden became a legacy. His granddaughter recently wrote, "My granddad, who will be 90 this summer, plants a huge garden every year. In August, he'll say that it's his last garden. It's too hot, too dry, too much work. But in the spring, he starts getting the ground ready and plants the seeds again. When asked why, he says, "All the old people at church count on me to bring them vegetables!" Throughout his life, Robert had determination and a servant's heart.

Robert was a Baptist and a longtime member of Northside Baptist Church in Odessa. He accepted Christ as his Savior in 1942, at the age of 12, at Odessa's First Baptist Church. Robert always loved going to church and loved being in church with his family. He read his Bible regularly and raised his sons, by example, to love the Lord.

Robert was preceded in death by his parents, Judas and Lorea Brown, sisters Cora Belle Shows, Lucille Wolz, Dorothy Grizzard, and brother Benny Brown. He is survived by his wife, LaWanda Brown, of Odessa, sons Dr. Steve Brown and wife, Jan, of Odessa, Tommy Brown and wife, Neva, of Gardendale, Jimmy Brown and wife, Shirley, of San Angelo, and Dr. Donny Brown of Granbury, sisters-in-law Helen Brown of Altus, Oklahoma, and Billie Huckaby of Concord, California. Robert had 10 grandchildren, Amy Ortiz (Steven) of Odessa, Jeff Brown (Erica) of Odessa, Trevor Penn of Fort Worth, Tyler Penn of Fort Worth, Justin Brown (Leslie) of Temple, Dr. Sheila Deloney (Dr. John Deloney) of Franklin, Tennessee, Howard Brown of Midland, Shawn Brown (Chandra) of Lubbock, Dr. Jesse Brown (Dr. Loralee Brown) of Argyle, and Hailee Brown of Stephenville, as well as 19 great-grandchildren, with number 20, a great-granddaughter, due in April. Robert was extremely proud of his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He maintained high expectations for them, encouraging them to always do their best, supporting their dreams, and loving them dearly. Robert is also survived by two very special "daughters", Janice Anderson (Terry) of Odessa, and Elizabeth Brown of Aurora, Colorado, as well as a host of extended family members and friends.

Services for Robert will be held at Northside Baptist Church, 100 West 50th St., Odessa, Texas, on Tuesday, February 15, 2022, at 1:00 p.m., with longtime friend and pastor, Clydel Chapman, officiating. Interment will follow at Sunset Memorial Gardens. Visitation will be held on Monday, February 14, 2022, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., at Hubbard-Kelly Funeral Home, 601 N. Alleghaney Ave., in Odessa.

Pallbearers will be grandsons Jeff Brown, Steven Ortiz, Justin Brown, Dr. John Deloney, Howard Brown, Shawn Brown, and Dr. Jesse Brown. Honorary pallbearers will be retired and present members of the Odessa Fire and Rescue.

The family would like to sincerely thank Dr. Jay Naidu for his special care of Robert during this illness and throughout the last thirty years, and Dr. Raja Naidu for his special care during this illness. Special thanks is also extended to the staff in the ER and CCU at Odessa Regional Medical Center, especially Vanessa, Laura, Jodi and Sam.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to the Northside Baptist Church Mission Fund, Odessa, Texas.