Brynn Aurelius

It is with great sorrow that we announce the passing of Brynn Aurelius, beloved father, grandfather, brother, and friend. We said goodbye to him on November 30, 2025 at the age of 85.

Brynn Aurelius was born February, 19, 1940 to William Aurelius and Elizabeth Dunham in Ridgewood, New Jersey. During his formative years, Brynn was active in Boy Scouts earning the honor of Eagle Scout. His curiosity about the world was quenched through books and the love of classical music.

Brynn graduated from Principia Upper School in St. Louis, Missouri. He attended the College of William and Mary earning a bachelor's degree in history in 1962 and then continued his education at New York University Law School with his law degree in 1965 following which he practiced law in New York City. He joined the Shell Oil Company in 1970 and moved to Atlanta for two years after which he transferred to the head office in Houston, Texas in 1972. During his law career he specialized in Occupational Safety and Health and Environmental Law and presented a landmark case to the Supreme Court that addressed the interplay between state and federal laws concerning unemployment compensation for striking employees. As an American History and genealogy enthusiast, he spent many comfortable hours amongst historical books, documents, and resources discovering ancestors playing prominent roles throughout history including those who fought in the American Revolutionary War as commissioned officers with General Washington. This was reflected in his memberships in the Society of the Cincinnati, the Society of Colonial Wars, the Sons of the American Revolution, the Mayflower Society, and the Saint Nicholas Society of the City of New York.

In 1966, Brynn married Suzan Wren Kennard in Greenwich, CT and they raised three wonderful children together. At home, his children lovingly referred to him as the absent-minded professor where his studious nature, immersion in thousands of classical music CD's, prominent pink round glasses, focused hunting for antiques, and logical intelligent mind, left him befuddled in social situations and during moments of teenage angst of his children.

Brynn retired in 1999 and focused his time supporting his community by volunteering over 14,000 hours. Some of his joys with volunteering included being a docent at the Houston Science Museum and the Houston Arboretum where he opened the world of science and nature to hundreds of grade school children. Sharing his passion for history, books, and music, he volunteered for the library of the Houston Fine Arts Museum, the Houston Symphony and the Shepherd School of Music at Rice University. Together with volunteers, he supported the fine arts of Houston and was committed to providing exposure and opportunities to students and aficionados of all ages.

His summers would be spent working at the YMCA in Estes Park, Colorado where he explored the Rocky Mountain National Park with cherished long hikes and breathtaking views.
Brynn is survived by son Dunham Aurelius, son Campbell Aurelius, daughter Carrie Aurelius Wright, brother Robin Aurelius, and sister Karen Aurelius. Grandpa BF also leaves the loves of his life grandchildren Rylan, Abby, Seth and Lillian.

Brynn was preceded in death by his father, William Aurelius, mother, Elizabeth Dunham Aurelius, his paternal grandparents Erick Aurelius and Anna Budde Aurelius and maternal grandparents Frederic Gibbons Dunham and Carrie Louise Dunham. We know he is now at peace hiking the magical vistas of the mountains of heaven with those he loves.

Please join us Monday, January 5, 2026, from 4-6 pm at the Houston Arboretum and Nature Center for Brynn's Celebration of Life.

The family kindly requests that, instead of sending flowers, donations be made to the Houston Arboretum and Nature Center in memory of Brynn Aurelius (https://houstonarboretum.org/give/).