Robert Garland "Bob" Brown

Robert Garland (Bob) Brown, of Groesbeck, passed away at home on Tuesday, September 19, 2017, at age 89. Graveside services will be held on Saturday, Sepember 23, 2017, at 12:00 Noon at Faulkenberry Cemetery in Groesbeck (with visitation at Groesbeck Funeral Home earlier at 11:00 - 11:45 AM.) Brother Nathan Bedford of the Lone Star Baptist Church will officiate. Robert, or Garland as he was known to his family, or Bob as known to co-workers, was born July 8, 1928 to Robert Brown and Lillie (Williamson) Brown in the Oletha community. Robert was a veteran of the Korean war, having served 6 years in the U. S. Army, Co. A, 8th. Engineer Combat Battalion, lst. Cavalry Division. He served two tours in Korea during 1946-1948 while they built roads and airstrips prior to the arrival of the troops, and again in 1950-1951, often taking fire while serving across enemy lines. Robert was united in marriage with Nela Faye Wilson on December 24, 1949 in Groesbeck. He always carried the pictures of his beautiful wife and sister with him during every day spent in Korea, including one year to the Manchurian border and back, which may have helped him during the bitter cold weather. He was so proud showing his pictures to his squad. The family lived from Washington D.C. to Washington state while he was in the military, and as a civilian working for Brown and Root. He worked as a pipefitter for Brown and Root, later being a general foreman. In Texas, the family moved from Brownsville to Houston. Their daughter Robin was born in New Mexico, and son Douglas in San Antonio and son, Robert Royce in Pasadena. They lived thirty years in Pasadena, until he retired when he was 55 years old. They moved back to rural Groesbeck about thirty-two years ago, and he went to work again as a school bus driver for the next ten years. He was never idle and was a good mechanic, working on cars and lawnmowers. He often found ways to generate additional income. He and Faye were caretakers of Fort Parker cemetery for several years, he with a push mower and she pulling weeds by hand. One of their pleasures of being at the cemetery was making friends with those who came to visit graves. One man who became a good friend was Joseph Cotton, local historian and Vietnam veteran; they both enjoyed visiting with him at the cemetery and in their home. Robert and Faye enjoyed their life together and going places together. After Faye passed away in 2015, Robert spent a lot of his time in town to eat and to have someone to visit with, usually at the Dairy Queen or Pizza Hut. At home he had always enjoyed his longhorns, numerous donkeys, goats, and dogs. Robin was a devoted daughter to her Dad. While she was little, she was her daddy’s shadow, watching him work on cars and going with him to junkyards for parts. She remained devoted to both her parents, moving to Groesbeck to be near them, and helping her Dad after her mother passed away, including right up to the night of his death. His niece, Dianne who had spent a lot of time with him while she was growing up, had moved into his house to take care of him recently while his health was failing over the past six months. Robert was preceded in death by his parents; his infant son, Douglas Brown (at 18 months); his siblings: Millard Brown and wife Janey, Wilson Brown, C. W. Brown, Edward Brown, and Margie Juanita “Nita” Nolan and her husband Roy. He is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Robinette (Robin) and Gary Mattix and son, Robert Royce Brown, of Groesbeck; 2 grandchildren and numerous great and great-great grandchildren; brother, Bobby Joe Brown of Montgomery; sister, Maurine Brown of Temple; sister-in-law, Sandra Brown of Thornton; and numerous nieces and nephews.