Randy Brown

Randy Chris Brown of Lubbock, Texas, passed away on March 17, 2023.  Family and friends will gather to celebrate his life in the Wesley Chapel at LakeRidge Methodist Church on Saturday, March 25, 2023, at 1:00 p.m. Please view the broadcasting schedule and an area to share stories of Mr. Brown with his family on this page.

Randy was born in Childress, Texas, in 1946, to Lee Pershing Brown and Polly Brown.  Soon after Randy was born, the family moved to Memphis, Texas, where they remained. Randy grew up working in his father’s auto parts business on the square in Memphis. He graduated from Memphis High School and then attended Texas Tech University where he graduated in 1969 with a BS in Agriculture Business. It was during his time at Texas Tech that Randy began dating Diane Gailey, also of Memphis. Randy and Diane married in 1968, before completing their degrees. Despite Diane’s parents’ concern over this decision, they ultimately adored Randy, and he them! Following his January 1969 graduation, while waiting on Diane to complete her degree, Randy worked nights at Ralston Purina and spent his days playing golf.

In 1970, Randy took the position of Office Manager of D.G.C. Feeders in Gruver, Texas.  Randy remained at D.G.C. for 33 years, ultimately becoming a partner in the business. During his career in the cattle business, Randy twice held the position of Director of the Texas Cattle Feeders Association and also served on the Board of Directors of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association.  Following the sale of D.G.C., Randy, and Diane relocated to Lubbock, Texas, and Randy took the position of Vice President of – Cattle/Ranching Division for City Bank.  He retired in 2010 but continued to do their cattle inspections until 2018.  From 2008-2013, Randy was appointed by Governor Rick Perry to serve as a Commissioner on the Texas Animal Health Commission.

Randy was a lifelong United Methodist and believed in Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior. For many years he used his gift of understanding finances and numbers to serve on the Administrative Council and Board of Trustees of the Gruver United Methodist Church, and also as both a Director and Vice Chairman of the Hansford County Appraisal District. He believed strongly in the importance of a good education and served for eight years on the Board of Trustees for Gruver ISD, including three years as President.

In his younger years, Randy enjoyed flying and obtained his pilot’s license. He was an avid bird hunter and golfer. Over the last several years, Randy and Diane spent several months each year at their cabin in Spring Creek near Almont, Colorado, a special area where they both had spent time as children and then later took their own kids.  In his younger years, Randy enjoyed fly fishing with his father and other family members, and in his later years, he spent hours trimming the four acres of trees around the cabin creating the best-looking forest in the area!

Of all his earthly accomplishments, Randy was most proud of his children and grandchildren.  His grandchildren know him as “Uno”, the name he gave himself when the first of them was born.  They will all remember many laughs with Uno, who was a constant jokester and the king of smack talk during many, many family marble games.  They will also remember, as will his children and their spouses, the many hugs and “I love yous” he so often and freely gave.

Randy had a gift for making friends of all ages.  He had a great sense of humor and enjoyed spending time cutting up with people he knew and loved.  He was blessed by friends from all walks of his life. There were people he grew up with in Memphis that he was still in touch with.  At Texas Tech he made lifelong friends, particularly from the Texas Tech Meats Lab where he worked.  There were many from Gruver, DGC Feeders, and the cattle industry.  There were special friends in Germany and Spring Creek, Colorado.  In Lubbock, his sphere of friends included City Bank, Lakeridge Methodist, Mahjong couples group, Kings’ Park neighbors, his favorite mailman and others.  There was also his special friend that he had bought vehicles from for 37 years.  A special thank you to them all for their prayers, love and support throughout his life.

Randy is survived by his beloved wife of 54 years, Diane, and his children, Christy Brown Conrad and husband, Mark Conrad of Bryan, Texas; Chad Brown and wife, Megan of Canyon, Texas; Brendy Brown Pickler and husband, Bill of Burleson, Texas.  He is also survived by grandchildren, Clayton, Alex, Abi, Caden, Cole, Ellie, Avery, Trace and Kaydee and great granddaughter, Nyla. He is preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Fredna Bowman.

Memorials, in lieu of flowers, may be sent to LakeRidge Methodist Church, 4701 82nd St. Lubbock, TX 79424; Backyard Mission, 8205 Quincy Avenue, Lubbock, TX 79424; International Adventure Ministries, P.O. Box 6043, Lubbock, TX 79493; or the charity of your choice.

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