Paul Brown

Paul Donald Brown, 80, of Peoria went to be with The Lord on Friday, July 10, 2015 in Hillsboro. A celebration of his life will be held at 4:00 p.m. Saturday, July 25, 2015, at Central Baptist Church in Hillsboro with Rev. Mac Sullivan officiating. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Marshall & Marshall Funeral Directors in Hillsboro.

Paul was born June 13, 1935 in Hill County to Leland Fate and Annie Mildred (Ward) Brown. After his mother passed away at age nine, he was raised by his paternal grandparents, aunts and uncles. They instilled in him a strong work ethic and good morals. He married the love of his life, Barbara Jo Miller of Aquilla on June 21, 1957. Their love for each other grew stronger with each passing year and after attending church with Barbara, he accepted Jesus as his Savior in 1959. They recently celebrated their 58th wedding anniversary. His family was his life, his pride and his joy. He worked hard to provide everything spiritually, physically, emotionally and financially they needed to grow into strong Christian adults. He was blessed to have been able to spend plenty of quality time with his grandchildren as they spent lots of time on the 4B Ranch. He shared his love for Christ with them as he sang numerous hymns to them while they sat on his lap. His and their favorites were Jesus Loves Me and The Old Rugged Cross. The tradition continued when the great grandchildren were born. This created precious memories for the four generations.

In 1953 he enlisted in the United States Army and the Texas Army National Guard in 1958. His unit was activated during the Korean Crisis but the unrest was settled before he deployed. He was assigned to several units during his service including the Alaskan Defense Command in Anchorage Alaska, the Lone Star 49th Armored Division, 149th Aviation Regiment and 1136th Medical Detachment. He was a helicopter maintenance tech (mechanic) until one of his superior officers recommended him for flight school. After extensive training he served as a test pilot and instructor pilot for the remainder of his career where he logged more than 8500 flight hours. He was stationed or received training at numerous bases including Fort Polk, Vernin Parish, LA; Fort Walters, Mineral Wells, TX; Fort Eustis, Newport News, VA and Ellington Air Force Base, Houston, TX to name a few. Over the first 20 years of their marriage he and Barbara moved 21 times. During the Vietnam War he remained stateside to train numerous American and Allied pilots retiring from the Texas Army National Guard in 1978 and the United States Army in 1995. During his years of service he was promoted to the rank of Chief Warrant Officer 4 and received the Meritorious Service Ribbon, Army Good Conduct Ribbon, National Defense Service Ribbon, Armed Forces Reserve Army Ribbon, Texas National Guard Faithful Service Ribbon and numerous other accommodations.

Paul was a member of Peoria Baptist Church, a founding member and first Fire Chief of the Peoria Volunteer Fire Department, organizer of the Restoration of the Peoria Community Center and Chairman of the Board. He was also a member of VFW, DAV, served on the Woodrow Osceola Water Corporation board and was a Reserve Deputy Sheriff for Hill County for several years. He was very active in his church and community and gave aid to those in need of a helping hand or uplifting word. He gave tirelessly to all worthy causes he was involved in. He was a man of honor and his word was better than any written contract. He will be missed by everyone that crossed his path and remembered fondly by all.

Preceding him in death were his parents, four brothers and a sister.

Survivors include his loving wife of 58 years, Barbara Brown; two daughters, Paula Milburn and husband, John, and Dedri Hafer and husband, Terry; three grandchildren, Christopher Brown and wife, Jacelyn, Candace Bates and husband, Cody, and Ashley Brown; four great-grandchildren, Kynzleigh and Bralynn Crawford and Kennedy and Kalleigh Bates; step-mother, Joyce Brown; brother, Wendell “Bill” Brown; sister, Judy Banik and husband, Johnny; three aunts, Wilma Buchanan, Evelyn Henthorn and Dortha Brown; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Memorials may be made to the Peoria Community Center, 143 HCR 1335, Hillsboro, TX 76645.

Memorial Service

4:00 PM ,Saturday, July 25, 2015
Central Baptist Church
1100 Old Bynum Rd. Hillsboro, TX 76645