John William Brown

John William Brown was born in Reynolds County Missouri on January 19, 1929 to Mammie Miller and Edward Minor Brown. John passed away in his home peacefully on September 16, 2020.

After graduation from high school, John served with the United States Army in 1947 and 1948 and later served with the National Guard of Texas for 9 years.

At the age of 12 John drove a freight wagon hauling lumber. John worked for several oil companies, but he stayed with Shell Oil and retired in 1989 with 34 years of service. Hunting and fishing were his favorite pass times. He loved to hunt whitetail deer and wild turkeys and running trot lines in the Colorado River.

John married Florence Roensch in 1947, they had 4 boys, Billy Wayne, Thomas James, John David and Kenneth Gene and 1 daughter, Susan Faye. John and Florence played and sang in Country Music Bands for 60, years. John loved to play the electric guitar, he was a self- taught musician, playing many different instruments, guitar, banjo, fiddle and more. John played finger-style like Merle Travis and Chet Atkins. He also gave guitar lessons to a number of young people.

John married Anita (Shaw) Mangrum in 1981. He was a deacon in the Baptist Church and played guitar and fiddle for the church.

John was preceded in death by his parents, 3 sisters, Virginia Cotton, Othella “Doris” Wildermuth and Marjorie Misegades, brothers, Minor Brown and Ray Brown, 1 son, John David and his wife, Patricia (Pat).

John is survived by his wife Anita, they were blessed to have 39 years together, his sons and daughters-in-law, Billy and Kay of College Station, Thomas and Vickie of Katy, Kenneth and Donna of Sealy, daughter, Susan and Andrew Leschper of Sealy. 12, grandchildren, 24 great-grandchildren, 4 step, great-grandchildren and 1 great-great-granddaughter, from his second family he is survived by 3, stepchildren, Sherry and Brian Thorp of League City, Johnny Mangrum of Tomball and Jolinda and Ronny Smith of Mertens. 7 step grandchildren and spouses and 12 step great-grandchildren.

A memorial service with Military Honors, will be held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, October 10, 2020 at the Open Range Cowboy Church in Whitney, Texas.

In lieu of flowers please make a contribution to your favorite church or charity.