Melvin Donald “Don” Brown was born September 30, 1924, in Cushing, Okla. He died Tuesday, March 24, 2020, in Cushing at the age of 95 years.
Brown, the son of George Thomas and Mary Lucy Wade Brown, married Velma V. Wolff on August 5, 1944, in Cushing.
A 1942 graduate of Kendrick High School, he worked in the oilfield as a roughneck and driller, retiring as a tool pusher from Grace Petroleum. He was a member of Lutheran Church of Our Redeemer in Cushing.
Preceding him in death were his parents; his wife; three children, Donna S. Brown Smith, Thomas L. Brown and Ricky A. Brown; his daughter-in-law, Anita Ceresna Brown; one son-in-law, Thomas H. Brown Sr.; three siblings, Goldie M. Crown, Georgia L. Jennings and Jimmilia V. Taylor-Giles; and five half siblings, Albert M. Brown, Pearl Brown, Theodore W. Brown, Elsie F. DeGraw and Julia Kalcich.
Survivors include four children and their spouses, Phyllis J. Brown, Judith A. and Ronald Bush, Melvin L. and Cassie Bond Brown and Sherry L. and Robert Jenkins; his son-in-law, Gene A. Smith; 10 grandchildren and their spouses; 11 great-grandchildren; one great-great grandchild; two step-grandchildren; four step great-grandchildren; five step great-great grandchildren; and other family and friends.
Private graveside services were held at Lutheran Church of Our Redeemer Cemetery with the Rev. W.R. Rains officiating. The family will have a memorial service at a later date. Final arrangements were under the direction of Davis Funeral Home in Cushing.