Dell Brown

1933 - 2025

Services for Harlen Dell (Dell) Brown was held at first Baptist Church, Plainview, Texas, on Thursday, November 6, 2025 at 1 PM, under the direction of Kornerstone Funeral home. Viewing was held at Kornerstone, 3605 S.W. 3rd Street, Plainview, between 5-7pm on Wednesday, November 5, 2025.

Dell was born October 2, 1933 in Seymour, Texas. The son of Mr. Mrs. Doc Brown, he moved with his parents to the South Plains when he was five years old. The family settled in the Olton and Halfway area.

Dell married Patricia (Pat) Ann Tanner in Plainview on September 23, 1953.

Dell attended grade schools at Running Water, Hooper, Olton, and Highland, and graduated from Plainview High School in 1951.

During the Korean War, Dell served two years in the Army based at White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico. He was on detached duty at Holloman Air Force Base in Alamogordo, New Mexico.

After Dell was discharged from the Army, he attended Texas Tech, receiving a Bachelor's degree in 1959 and a Master's degree in 1966. Dell later received a superintendent certification from West Texas State University.

Dell began his teaching career in Redding, California in 1959, teaching 5th and 6th graders. However, California was not Texas and Dell and Pat returned to Plainview in 1960, and he began teaching math and science, and was a coach at Hillcrest Elementary. In 1966 he accepted his first principal position at Lamar Elementary in Plainview. He returned to Hillcrest as principal in 1968 and was principal there until Ash Elementary was turned into a 6th grade school in 1975, at which point he became principal at Ash there until his retirement in 1991. The Ash annex was named in his honor upon his (initial) retirement in 1991. His retirement was short-lived, as he then became principal of the newly created alternative program in Plainview for at-risk students, called the Triple AAA Academy. He also later served as interim principal at Coronado Junior High in Plainview and at Hale Center Junior High School.

Dell was a member and past Board president of First Christian Church in Plainview, and the Christian Manor retirement home was initiated during his tenure. Dell served as president of the Board of YMCA during the building program for its new facility, was a past board member of the Hale County Teacher's Credit Union and the Rape Crisis Center. He also served on the board of the Plainview Cemetery Association. Dell was also affiliated with numerous professional organizations. He received the Premier Principal award presented by the Congress of Parents and Teachers and was named a Paul Harris Fellow by the Rotary Club.

Dell is survived by his son Kelly of Lubbock and his daughter Kassandra of Grapevine. Dell also has three grandchildren: Andrea Brown of Carrollton, Steven Brown of South Fork, Colorado, and Christopher Brown and his wife Amanda of Austin. He also has one great granddaughter, Annabel, also of Austin. Other survivors include his sister Nancy Vaughn of Tulia, his brother Tom Brown and wife Rosemary of Lubbock, and many nieces and nephews. Dell is predeceased by his wife Pat, his parents Doc and Lillian Brown, and his brother Dick Brown.

The family suggest any donations be made to:

The Dell and Pat Brown Endowed Scholarship at Wayland Baptist University, either by this link (www.wbu.edu/give/give.htm) (mention the endowed scholarship in the "I want to support" and "Other" box) or by mail to Wayland Baptist University, Office of Institutional Advancement, 1900 W. 7th St. CMB 1295, Plainview, TX 79072 or The Plainview Cemetery Association, 104 Joliet St, Plainview, TX 79072