09/04/2020
In Loving Memory of Richard Alan Brown
Richard will be honored with a memorial service at Northwest Church of Christ on Saturday, August 22, 2020 at 11:00am. 6720 W. Tidwell Rd, Houston, TX 77092. Social distancing will be observed, and you are requested to please wear a face mask. A meal will be provided for family only, immediately following the service. Later date- There will be a short 15 min service at the VA Cemetery at a later date.
Richard Alan Brown, 82, passed away July 30, 2020 in Houston, Texas. He was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on February 19, 1938 to Mildred Irene Swineford and Earl Erwin Brown. Richard moved to Florida in 1948, and then to Texas in August of 1949. Richard also had a foster family, The Heidrich’s. They were members at Heights Church of Christ and claimed Richard when he first attended there. They gave him many things he never had before. First, they introduced him to the church and encouraged him to make it a life goal to become an elder. They also gave him a real family to come home to when he was in the service. He lived
with them while he was attending college and was always a part of their family.
Richard was an alternate on the winning 1950 Little League World Series Team, traveling by train to Williams Port, Pennsylvania for the event. Then, they traveled to St. Louis to see a live Cardinals Game. He sat on the bench by Stan Musial, his favorite player.
He was a proud 1956 graduate of Reagan High School and enjoyed serving on the reunion committee for many years. He joined the fight to save the school’s name, so it will always be called Reagan at our house.
Richard spent 3 years with Humble Oil & Refining Company before beginning his time in the Air
Force, serving from December 1960 to 1964. He received Cryptologic training and went first to Trabzon Air Base, Turkey before being diverted to the Cuban Missile Crisis in Florida for up-keep of equipment on naval ships. He was stationed in San Angelo, Texas with Squadron 6943rd Mobile Command Squadron where he was sent on missions to set-up communications. His first trip to Vietnam was very early in the conflict. In July 1964, his second trip to Vietnam, his fire camp in Nam D**g was overrun with 700 Vietcong. He escaped on a Huey helicopter which intended to pick him up along with his operator and friend, David Christian. Unfortunately, Richard was the only one that was pulled into the helicopter.
Richard met his future wife, Kathy, through the Heights Church of Christ Radio Chorus. He sang bass and Kathy sang alto.
In 1971, Richard received his Bachelor of Science in Electronics from the University of Houston. He worked for years for the company, Camera Services, where he repaired a variety of cameras and other electronic equipment. He retired from there as the Vice-President.
Richard served as a Deacon for Candlelight Church of Christ before the family came to the Northwest Church of Christ. He served Northwest as Deacon before accepting the role of Elder in 1999.
He continued his duties faithfully. He truly loved the work of the church and the entire church family. He loved being master of ceremonies for the annual Holiday Extravaganza, and could always find a way to embarrass Kathy. He loved all of the children at the church and they loved him back. He also loved our own Christian School of Northwest Houston, serving as president of the school board for several years.
Richard was preceded in death by his precious daughter Peggy Buffa, his sister Nancy Barnett, his brother Don Brown and both of his parents.
Richard is survived by his devoted wife of 54 years, Kathy; his daughter, Melissa Rowell; his son Douglas Brown and wife Michelene; his grandchildren, Kelly Buffa, Kathryn Howard and husband Seth, Sarah Rowell, Hannah Brown, Kaitlyn Buffa and Hayden Brown; his great-grandchildren Adeline and Isaac; several Nieces and Nephews.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to any of the following:
· Christian School of Northwest Houston, 6720 W. Tidwell, Houston, TX 77092
· Neema Village, Care for children in Tanzania, Africa. Contact Neema Village, PO Box 21553, Waco TX 76702. Online donations - neemavillage.org.
· VIVA Relevante, educational mission in Brazil. Contact at 10330 Lake Rd. Bldg. F, Houston TX 77070. Online donations - vivarelevante.com.
· Missions Fund, Northwest Church of Christ, 6720 W. Tidwell, Houston TX 77092
