Ollie Hercil Brown

Ollie Hercil Brown
Austin,Texas
Ollie Hercil Brown passed soon after solstice at 5:00 pm Thursday, December 27, 2007, after 88 years of great love and compassion and a short illness. He had received the best care from his doctor, Nuzhat Ahmed and other professionals at the Austin Diagnostic Clinic, North Austin Medical Center and Cornerstone Hospital.
Hercil was born in Leake County, Mississippi on 19th, May near the eclipse of 1919. Hercil entered the Merchant Marines at age 17, making voyages to various South American ports and forming a lasting love for Brazilian rhythms which would always make him dance. He served in the Pacific during World War II with the 2nd Marine Division as a Navy medical corpsman, sharing an island foxhole with a Windtalker. Hercil spent time in Hawaii and New Zealand and served at the great island battles of Tinian, Saipan and Tarawa.
Upon returning from the war, Hercil entered Mississippi State University acquiring a Bachelor of Science in Animal Husbandry before his marriage to college sweetheart Irene Clark. After attending classes at Texas A&M and Baylor, he obtained a Masters in Science Education from the University of Texas at Austin.
Hercil and Irene explored, adventured and taught across the country, living in Georgia, Mississippi, New Mexico, finally settling in Texas. He taught High School Science and Physical Education, and also taught farming to fellow veterans. He raised livestock and cotton and also hunted rattlesnakes and doves on land in Texas and Mississippi. Vestryman for St. Andrew's Church, Andrews, and Holy Trinity Episcopal Church in Bonham, Texas and a member of Live Oak Unitarian Universalist congregation in Austin. He traveled widely and always made new friends, visiting the Pacific, Latin America and Europe with Irene and his family.
He was preceded in passing by his parents, Walter Luckett Brown and Nancy Ann Renfroe, his older siblings Myrtis Christine Ash and Horace Edwin.
Hercil is survived by his wife of 55 years, Irene Marie Clark, sons: Keith David, wife Deanna Arrington, granddaughter Kristen Nicole; son, Scott Andrew with Jose Gerardo Lopez, brothers, Hilton Kennard, wife Louis Bishop; Walter Luckett; Samuel Joseph, wife, Anita Powell; Aubrey Lavon, wife, Myrl Wilemon; Ollen Graham, wife Francine Warrick; sisters Mary Ellen, husband Bill Armstrong and Francis Causey Barrett. Niece, Barbara Anna Agily D'Amico, husband Shaib Agily, their wonderful children Laila Ada, Aisha Irene, Noah Shaib and Laith Shaib.
Memorial will be celebrated near his home with friends and family by Fr. Jeffrey Walker at 10:00 AM on Tuesday, January 8th at Cook-Walden Chapel of the Hills Funeral Home. Interment will follow at 2:15 PM with Military Honors at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery, San Antonio, Texas.
Arrangements under the direction of Cook-Walden Chapel of the Hills Funeral Home , 9700 Anderson Mill Rd. Austin, Texas 78750. (512)-335-1155).