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René Albert “Butch” Brown Sr., age 80, passed away on November 13, 2019. His last days were spent at his home in Conroe, Texas surrounded by family and friends. He was born at home on June 11, 1939 in Laredo, Texas. The doctor was paid $5.00 and a bowl of chili for the delivery. In February 2001, René accepted Jesus as his savior and is now rejoicing in heaven with the angels.

His childhood was spent in San Antonio, Texas, Tacoma, Washington, and Mountain Home, Arkansas. When he started high school, he moved to Jacinto City, Texas and put down roots there. René graduated from Galena Park High School in 1957, attended Lee Jr. College, and then joined the United States Army in 1960. He served with the Korea Military Advisory Group in South Korea and received the Korea Defense Service Medal. Upon returning stateside René served with the Second Infantry Division at Ft. Benning, Georgia. He was a member of the color guard and carried the American flag. He was a non-commissioned officer with a rapid deployment battle group and was involved in the Cuban Missile Crisis. After his honorable discharge he moved to Houston where he began his career in the Houston electrical supply business and was a member of the Houston Electrical League. His first jobs in the industry were with Graybar and Wide-Lite. He then opened his own lighting agency, Southwestern Lighting Sales. He spent the majority of his career in electrical distribution at Nunn Electric Supply, Power Supply, and Warren Electric before retiring in 2002.

In 1972, René moved his family to Bennett Estates in Conroe. He loved the property and cleared it by hand. This is where his kids grew up and where he lived for the rest of his life. He loved spending hours on his tractor and taking care of the yard. He was proud to be a “Bennett Boonie” and his best friends in life were his neighbors.

When René met someone new or saw an old friend he left them with a happy feeling. He never met a stranger and would strike up a conversation with anyone. Christmas was his favorite holiday and for years he played Santa at family gatherings and nursing homes. His grandsons and nephews will always remember him for teaching them that a man should have a strong handshake. Even in his last days he enjoyed challenging them to a handshake, followed by “the grip.” René had a soft spot for “his girls” … the granddaughters and nieces that brought him such joy. He loved fishing, cooking, traveling, porch-sitting, bird watching, singing, hosting neighborhood gatherings and spending time with family. He loved taking cruises, and just last month he spent a week on a ship with kids, grandkids, and friends.

René is preceded in death by his mother, Virginia Estelle Brown Harris; father, Antonio G. Padilla; and step-father, William Harris.

He is survived by his wife of 32 years, Nancy Brown; son, René “Beau” Brown Jr. and wife, Myra; daughter, Teresa “Terri” Brown; grandsons, Jarrod Brown, Kyle Brown, Eli Brown, and Tony Brown;
great-granddaughters, Tatum Brown, Skyler Brown, and Kelly Kay (KK) Brown; in-laws, Marland and LaDean Williamson, Harold and Charlotte Johnson, Paul and Tyonnia Johnson, and Craig and Karen Berry; nieces and nephews, Lynda Roucloux, Joseph Donald Howell, Randy Howell, Richard Roucloux, Lanette Howell Rees, Ryan Johnson, Jonathan Rippel, Taylor Johnson, Jordan Johnson, Eliana Schmidt, Tess Rippel, and Brandon Schmidt. He is survived by numerous other family members, as well as his “boys”—Roscoe, Leroy, Sunny, and Spot.

The family wants to acknowledge friends; Michelle Holland, Rick Irvin, Steve Orphan, and Earl Smith, who Rene’ loved like family. There are no words to express how thankful we are for you and the kindness you showed him daily.

Pallbearers: Paul Johnson, Jarrod Brown, Jonathan Rippel, Kyle Brown, Eli Brown, and Jordan Johnson
Honorary Pallbearers: Rick Irvin, Steve Orphan, Earl Smith, and Tony Brown