Dennison Robert Brown

Dennison Robert Brown, 82, died Saturday, November 19, 2016 at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas, following a long battle with melanoma.

Denny is universally described as funny, whip smart, quick witted, charming, and cool by his loved ones. He was an avid bridge player. loving father, and dedicated Christian who loved his church, Saint Francis Episcopal, and his faith. His interests spanned his vocation of mathematics, to include coaching sports, traveling, music, and, most importantly, his family. He was a proud grandfather of 14 grandchildren and one great-grandchild. He loved hosting the grandchildren for summer “Camp Houston”, ferrying them to plays, museums, sports games, and road trips. His first two grand-daughters have fond memories of driving around Houston in an ancient Volkswagen Beetle, with no air conditioning.

Denny was born in New Orleans, Louisiana; the son of Elihu and Floy (Edwards) Brown. He also lived in Lake Charles, Louisiana, Chicago Illinois, before settling in Baton Rouge, where he attended Baton Rouge High School, graduating in 1951.

He attended Duke University on a Navy ROTC scholarship, graduating in 1955 with a degree in physics, and was active in the Kappa Sigma fraternity and served as the manager for the powerful Duke basketball team. After receiving his commission, he served on the USS Lake Champlain. He had met Janet Madden while attending Baton Rouge High, and they were married on June 9th, 1956. They remained married until her untimely death in 1986. He later married Betty Sue (Sexton) Brown on May 31st 1987, and their marriage lasted until he passed away.

After leaving active service from the Navy, Denny returned to Louisiana to pursue advanced degrees in mathematics, culminating in his PhD in 1963. He taught at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, from 1963 to 1967, when he then accepted a full professorship at the University of Houston. He taught at UH for 36 years, receiving several awards for his teaching prowess. He was recruited by MD Anderson as a Research Professor, and served there until fully retiring in 2009.

Denny had a passion for coaching sports as well, with baseball as a clear favorite. After coaching both his sons through all levels of youth baseball, he joined the baseball staff of Strake Jesuit College Preparatory , coaching from 1981 through 1986. Denny also coached youth football and basketball.

Denny also had a strong affinity for the arts, with music as a focal point. He and Betty both sang in the Saint Francis Episcopal Church Choir, and were patrons of Houston’s music culture, attending symphonies and operas, and taking their grandchildren to various musicals in the summer. Denny also needlepointed as a hobby, and his works are found in many places in Texas and Louisiana.

In addition to singing in the choir, Denny was a faithful servant in various roles at Saint Francis Episcopal Church, serving several years on the vestry. He was also a faithful member of the altar guild and owls.

He leaves his wife of nearly 30 years, Betty Sue (Sexton) Brown; his sister Annette Day; his son, Robert Brown, his wife Connie Brown, and their two daughters, Allison Poore and Amy Poore; his son Alan Brown, his wife Karon Brown, and their two children, Ryan Brown and Anna Moore (married to Sam Moore); his daughter Mary Elizabeth Rieger, his step-son Robert Rieger, his wife Shannan Rieger, and their three children, Caroline Rieger, Myles Rieger, and Daniel Rieger; his step-daughter Sally (Rieger) Alvis, her husband Max Alvis, and their two daughters, Anna Catherine Alvis and Elisabeth Alvis; and his stepdaughter, Ann (Rieger) Wolford, her husband Kent Wolford, and their children; Ian Wellman, Nate Wellman, Brooke Wolford , Tyler Wolford; and Melanie Wolford and her daughter Bodhi.

In lieu of flowers, donations to the Music Ministry at Saint Francis Episcopal Church are suggested. A Memorial Service is to be held on Saturday, November 26th, 2016 at 11 a.m. at St. Francis Episcopal Church 345 Piney Point Drive Houston, Texas 77024.