Donald Thomas Brown, age, 67, passed away on Wednesday, July 6, 2022. Donald was born in Shelbyville, Kentucky on February 10, 1955, to Jerry and Margaret (Kew) Brown.
Loving and kind, thoughtful and just plain awesome, Tommy was a man of simplicity, but he was a great man. It showed in how he loved, how he treated others, how he put the needs of those around him first. Others would see situations, finding obstacles or circumstances that would hinder, yet Tommy saw past the surface, looking deeper to see the beauty that was lying there for him to discover. Every morning that he woke, there was two things on his mind, making coffee for the love of his life, Mary, and imparted his daily reminder, saying always “I love you.” To him, Mary was “My Angel”, and he found ways to show her. From the moment they met at a local event, there was a spark; the fateful timing of a train stopped them, which gave Tommy just enough time to get out and walk a few cars ahead to tell Mary, “I’d really love to take you out to dinner.” Mary, with her daughter Ericka by her side, made sure that he knew he was getting a package deal; he looked into her eyes and uttered sincerely that he would have it no other way. Their love blossomed and their heartstrings intertwined with each passing day. Tommy was a man of his word; Ericka had become just as much a part of his heart as Mary, writing her a special letter asking for her mother’s hand in marriage and giving her a ring to accompany the one that Mary had received. On December 20, 2001, they sealed their love in marriage and would spend the next 20 years not only in love, but as best friends. They both loved Nascar, especially Dale Earnhardt, Sr., with a favorite pastime of theirs being to watch races with hats on cheering. A devoted fan, Tommy cried the day the Dale Sr. had his tragic accident, actually being in attendance at the race in Daytona. His long career in the maintenance department with Vidor ISD and the City of Vidor, brought him lasting friendships and the good name that Tommy’s character often produced wherever he went. How can you describe someone like him in one word? Awesome, he was a wonderful, simply awesome man. Though he is gone, he lives on in the hearts of all those that he so freely gave his love to and touched with his kindness.
Left to cherish his memories is his beloved wife, Mary Ellen Brown; his sons, Wayne Morris and fiancé Amanda Crook, Justin Morris and wife Sherri; daughters, Christy Maubloules and husband, Marc, and Erica Dickerson; daughters-in-law, Mindy Morris and Samantha Rayon; brothers, Bill Brown, Sam Brown and wife Terri, Marvin Brown, Jerry Brown, Charlie Brown and wife, Fran, John Brown and wife, Susan; sister, Deanie Wilson and husband, Terry; grandchildren, Britt, Breigh, Haydn, Brody, Halli, Kenzli, Kayzen, Shelby, and Tanner; great-grandchildren, Shelby and Alaya; and a host of loved ones, extended family, and friendships through the years.
Preceding Donald in death by his parents; granddaughter, Kera; and great-granddaughter, Kyndal.
Services are to be held privately by his family.