Holy Name Of Jesus Catholic Cemetery

Mr. Brown was Founder and President of CharDon Builders, established in 1981, 101 Kansas Ave., Chickasha, OK.

Don was born July 15, 1931 in Cordell, Washita Co., Oklahoma. He was eighth of ten children and the third son of the union of Verne Wilbur Brown Sr, and Blanche Hazel Wilcox Brown.

Don graduated from Cordell High School, May 27, 1949. As a first string starter, Don made the final basket of the game giving the Blue Devils a state championship of the Oklahoma Basketball Class B Divistion. Don was an outstanding 4 year member of the Cordell Future Farmers of America.

In 1949 at the American Royal in Kansas City his Shorthorn Steer was Grand Champion of the Light Shorthorn Division. Don auctioned off his own steer and received the highest price paid per pound at that show.

He also was an Oklahoma Junior Master Farmer his high school years. He was an outstanding speaker, and learned the auctioneer trade of his Father at the age of 12, and toured Oklahoma with his Dad receiving a commendation for selling the most U.S. Bonds during the WWII years.

Don, hearing the call of his Higher Power in 1950, became the leader and president of the Young Christian Student Organization, YCS, of Oklahoma working with Monsignor Don J. Kanaly of Claumet. At the request of the Bishop, he traveled all over Oklahoma organizing the Catholic youth in each parish.

During the Korea Conflict, Don was drafted to the service of his country on October 23, 1952 following in the footsteps of brothers and brothers-in-law of WWII and paternal and maternal great grandparents who were Civil War Veterans and a fourth great grandparent fought in the Revolutionary War.

Don was immediately appointed bus leader of his group. Inducted at Ft. Sill and sent to Camp Polk, Louisiana for boot camp. He was shipped out to Otsu Camp, Japan from Camp Stoneman, CA., September of 1953. He served as assistant to the Chaplain. He returned home via San Francisco on the General William Mitchell Ship and was honorably discharged November 8, 1954.

He was joined in matrimony to Miss Charlotte Marie Sullivan on May 2, 1955, in the Holy Name Catholic Church, Chickasha, Oklahoma. Charlotte preceded Don in death on March 8, 1995 after 39 years of marriage.

After his service he entered Oklahoma State University and on May 24, 1959 and three children later Don earned a BS degree in Agricultural Engineering.

In September of the same year, he received a promotion to 1st Lt. as a Commissioned Officer of the US Army Reserves.

Don was a Eucharistic Minister and a pillar of the Holy Name Catholic Church serving on the Parish Council and Finance Committee. The new St. Joseph Activity Center building was his passion. He gave of his time, talent, and finances to his parish and its families. His dedication to the Catholic faith was integral to his life, and he attended daily Mass. Don served on the Board of Directors of the Pregnancy Testing and Guidance Center. A project he held near and dear to his heart is the new building project under way. His was a lifetime of service to God, his family, his church, his country, and his community.

He held high positions in many companies in Missouri, California, Georgia before returning to Oklahoma and to Chickasha where he established his own business as a Building Contractor, CharDon Builder's, named for his wife Charlotte and himself Don. Two sons have followed in this business and Don Jr will carry on with the Company. While serving as Mayor of Chickasha, Don was appointed as a representative on the Oklahoma Economic Development Committee.

Preceding him in death are his wife, his parents and siblings, Averille Jane Brown Peters, Verne Wilbur Brown, Jr. and wife Hope M. Brown, Leo Francis Brown, Sr., brothers-in-law Hercel V. Shultz, Sr., and Bennie L. Anderson.Survivors include seven children, their respective spouses and thirteen grandchildren; Donnell W. Brown, Jr. and wife Joan Teresa Mueggenborg Brown of Chickasha and their three daughters Beth Marie Brown Coulter and husband Casey Charles of Moore, OK, Danica Joan Brown and Whitney Ann Brown both of the home, Catherine Marie Brown Dunn and son Brandon James Geisler of Norcross, GA, Ann Marie Brown of Atlanta, GA, Thomas Joseph Brown, MD of San Antonio, TX, Michael Bernard Brown V. and stepdaughter Kristen Marie Leary Todd, daughter Kaitlan Marie and son Spencer Bernard Brown of Lawton, OK, James Matthew Brown, wife Kristine Louise Svehla-Brown, their son Matthew Urban Brown and Charlotte Riley Brown of Seattle, WA, Molly Marie Brown Friend, husband Daniel Lewis Friend, daughter Emily Marie Friend, step-sons Marty Daniel Friend and James Michael Friend and wife Sara Lynn Stonebarger Friend and their son Corbin Kros Friend, all of Chickasha, OK, brother-in-law Curtis R. Peters of Cherokee, OK, sister-in-law Alice J. Brown of Clinton, OK, sister Fanita Brown Millikan and husband Thomas E. of Wichita, KS, sister Joanne Brown Shultz Scharer and husband Ronald D. of El Centro, CA, sister Colleen V. Brown and sister Phyllis Brown Anderson of Camarillo, CA, brother Lynne Brown and wife Jimmie Lou of Littleton, CO, sister Mary Cecele Brown Cibula and husband George A. of Lakewood, WA; and nephews and nieces deceased and living too numerous to mention. His absence will leave a void in his family and in this community that will never be filled. Amen!

Interment will be in the Rose Hill Cemetery, Catholic Section, beside his beloved wife, Charlotte for which he held an eternal love. Services are under the direction of Sevier Funeral Home. Memorial contributions may be made to Pregnancy Testing and Guidance Center Building Fund, PO Box 1911, Chickasha, OK 73023 or Holy Name of Jesus Catholic Church Building Fund, 210 S. 7th, Chickasha, OK 73018.