Harold Lee Brown

Harold Lee Brown, 96-year-old lifetime Vinita resident and retired Oklahoma Highway Patrolman, passed away on Tuesday, October 28, 2025, at the Windridge Nursing Center in Miami. He was born on January 13, 1929, in Vinita to Homer Earl Brown and Beulah Evelyn (Hopkins) Brown. Harold was a 1948 graduate of Vinita High School; after graduating he served his country in the United States Army. On February 14, 1953, he married the love of his life, Patricia Ann (Jones) in Adair. He began his career as an Oklahoma Highway Patrolman in 1957 and served 26 years, before retiring. After retiring from the patrol he purchased a dumptruck and started a gravel hauling business. Harold also picked up and drove cars to the local dealerships from other locations. Harold loved to work but also enjoyed tinkering with and fixing up old cars, trucks, and tractors as well. He was a loving and devoted husband and father.
He was preceded in death by his parents; wife Patricia in 2020; a brother, Billy James Brown; and a nephew, John Hoodenpyle.
The family includes his children, Terry Brown of Fairland, Trudy Grimes and husband Richard, Cindy Lile and husband Mike, Tammy Smith and husband Mike; his sister, Colleen Hoodenpyle and husband Raymond all of Vinita; also ten grandchildren, seventeen great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild; nephews, Ken and Jim Hoodenpyle.
The family will receive friends from 5-7 p.m. on Friday, October 31, 2025, at the Burckhalter-Highsmith Chapel in Vinita.
The celebration of life will be held on Saturday, November 1, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at the Burckhalter-Highsmith Chapel in Vinita, Pastor Justin Turner will officiate. Interment will follow at the McLaughlin Cemetery near Cleora. Online condolences may be made at www.highsmithfh.com or on the funeral home Facebook page. Arrangements are in the care of the Burckhalter-Highsmith Funeral and Cremation Services of Vinita. "Vinita's only locally owned and operated funeral home."