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Deceased Name: Tom Brown
© Holmes-Coffey-Murray Funeral Home
Submitted by: Jo Aguirre
Tom Brown, a longtime resident of Durant, Oklahoma and beloved family member passed from this life into the arms of his Lord and Savior on Friday, December 5, 2014 at the age of 84 years, 8 months and 19 days.
He was born to Thomas and Vivian Laura Knight Brown on Monday, March 17, 1930 in Bokchito, Oklahoma.
Tom married his sweetheart and love of his life Margie Thornton at the Robinson Baptist Church on June 27, 1954.
He served his country and community in the United States Army from 1952 thru 1954, fifteen of those months while in Korea.
When Tom returned home in 1954 he worked on the construction crew that built the Lake Texoma Lodge. In 1955 he was hired by Steakly Chevrolet in Durant, Oklahoma and worked in the auto body shop.
Tom had many stories to tell about the numerous times he was asked to drive Mrs. Steakley to Dallas or Oklahoma City to shop for shoes, he worked there til 1970. Tom also worked at Peabody Gallion in Durant for 15 years til they closed. During this time in Tom's life he built a large garage and opened his own auto body shop behind his home on North 2nd Street. He would put in a full 8 hours at his regular job then would come home and work some more in his own shop.
He also worked at the Durant Schools driving a school bus and later as a custodian.
Tom was a faithful and dedicated member of the Grace Baptist Church in Durant, Oklahoma since 1960. He was deeply involved in establishing the church and served as one of its two deacons.
When he was a younger man he enjoyed fishing Lake Texoma and hunting quail with his father-in-law, Archie.
He also liked trap shooting. Tom loved playing music with a group of friends on guitar that was given to him in 1959 by his wife and mother. He was a busy man but he never let any of his activities keep him from serving his Lord and Savior.
Mr. Brown is survived by his wife, Margie Brown of the home; son, Rex Brown of Arlington, Texas; daughter, Yolanda Orr and husband Bill of Durant, Oklahoma; grandchildren, Holly Ann Taylor of Durant, Oklahoma, Brandy Denise Taylor of Seattle, Washington, Jennifer D. Taylor of Durant, Oklahoma, Scotty Seiber of Dallas, Texas, Matt and Tracy Orr of Durant, Oklahoma and Casey and Krista Orr of Chattanooga, Tennessee; great-grandchildren, Valorie Taylor of Durant, Oklahoma, Jenner Orr of Durant, Oklahoma and Evelyn Orr of Chattanooga, Tennessee; sister, Geneva Autry of Cottonwood, California; numerous nieces and nephews here and in California; brother-in-laws, Alvie and Shirley Thornton of Durant, Oklahoma, Leonard and Kathy Thornton of McAlester, Oklahoma and Darrell and Verda Thornton of Durant, Oklahoma.
Mr. Brown was preceded in death by his parents, Thomas and Vivian Brown; brothers, Madison "Son" and Theodore Brown and sisters, Zelma Mills and Clodene Coulter.
The family respectfully request that in lieu of flowers donations be made in Tom's name to the Grace Baptist Church Building Fund, 206 East Main, Durant, Oklahoma 74701.
A gathering of friends and family will be from 6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. Monday, December 8, 2014 at the Holmes ~ Coffey ~ Murray Funeral Home in Durant, Oklahoma.
A celebration of his life will be held at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, December 9, 2014 at the Grace Baptist Church with Bro. Anthony Wiliams and Bro. Tommy Higle officiating.
Interment will follow at Highland Cemetery.
The pallbearers will be Don Thornton, Keith Thornton, Dwight Robinson, Matt Orr, Alvin Franklin and Simon Poljakow.
Honorary pallbearers will be Clint Webb, Gary Buchanan and Bill Swartz and the Men of the Church.
Family and friends may send online condolences and view tributes at www.holmescoffeymurray.com.
Services are under the direction of Holmes-Coffey-Murray Funeral Home, Durant, Oklahoma.
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