Donald Brown

08/03/1933 – 10/08/2011
Our beloved Donald Wayne Brown went to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on October 8, 2011. He was 78 years young. Funeral services will be held at Seminole Baptist Temple Thursday, October 13th ,at 1 pm with Pastor Don Baier officiating. Burial will be at the Veterans Cemetery in Springfield, Missouri, following the funeral services.
Don was born on August 3, 1933, in Paris, Texas, to Vonnie Alton Brown and Myrtle Mae Brown. He grew up in Paris, Texas. In his younger years, he first delivered newspapers on a bicycle and then on his different motorcycle types later. Many stories are wrapped around his love of motorcycles and rides with friends and family. Soon after high school Don was drafted into the Army. He was stationed in White Sands, NM, at White Sands Proving Ground where he trained on the deployment of Nike Missiles. He also attended Paris Jr. College and the University of Houston. After completing his military tour, Don returned home to Paris where he met his soon to be wife, Laurie Wright, who was singing at his sister’s wedding. After marrying Laurie, the two of them moved to Springfield where they attended Baptist Bible College and trained to become missionaries to Ethiopia. In Springfield they had their first son. He received a Bachelor’s in Missions. While serving as missionaries in Ethiopia they had three more children. After seven years of winning souls to Christ and starting churches they returned to the United States. In 1970 he was employed by the Baptist Bible Fellowship International Mission’s Office in Springfield, MO, as the Assistant to the Director under three different Directors. He worked for the Fellowship for 30+ years doing what he LOVED, assisting and training new missionaries. For his 40 years of dedicated missionary ministry he received an Honorary Doctor’s Degree in Theology from Louisiana Baptist Theological Seminary in Shreveport, La.. Don was an active member of Seminole Baptist Church while in Springfield. There he taught adult Sunday School for many, many years. On the Mission Field, at the BBFI, BBC and at Seminole Baptist, Don made lots of life-long friends that will always remember and love him. The twinkle in his eyes and his warm smile captured the hearts of all who knew him. He was the best example of a selfless, forgiving and loving Christian man and father that anyone could ever meet or have. He loved to say, “blessed are the peace makers.” We love you very much, Daddy!! Don also lived in Pasadena, Texas, Onalaska, Texas, and Bellingham, Washington.
Don was preceded in death by his parents, Vonnie and Myrtle Brown. He is survived by Laurie Brown and their children; Sons, Michael Brown of Springfield, MO, Andrew Brown of Springfield, MO, Joseph Brown of Dallas, Texas, and daughter Becky Line of Ferndale, WA. Don has 4 grand- children and 3 great grandkids. Don has two sisters and one brother; Margaret Ellis of Mandeville, LA, Melba Spivey and husband, Roland Spivey of Onalaska, Texas, and Gairee Brown of Onalaska, Texas.
The family will receive friends and visitors from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, October 12, 2011, at Walnut Lawn Funeral Home, 2001 Walnut Lawn St., Springfield, MO, 65807. Ph 417-886-6127.

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