Donald Ray Brown, Sr., age 71, of Malvern, died Tuesday night, October 2, 2007 at St. Joseph's Mercy Health Center in Hot Springs. He was born on July 8, 1936 in Seminole, Oklahoma to the late Lester L. and Mabel Currier Brown. Reared and receiving his early education in Hope, Arkansas, he later attended Southern State College in Magnolia (Southern Arkansas University) and the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville. He was a veteran of the United States Army Medical Corps, serving three years active duty followed by six years in the reserve. Mr. Brown had been a resident of Malvern since 1995, where he was a rancher and owned Blue Meadow Farms. He also had been co-owner with his partner, the late J. O. Brown, of Williams Brothers Feed. Among the organizations to which he belonged and/or held office were the Arkansas State Farm Board, Arkansas Short Horn Association (past president and show chairman), Hot Spring County Farm Bureau (past president), Alumnae Board of Directors for Southern Arkansas University (president and secretary), and the Purple Circle of 4H Clubs. Mr. Brown was a strong advocate of higher education, particularly in the field of agriculture and livestock. He was an active member of St. Paul United Methodist Church in Malvern.

He is survived by his wife, Patsy Bass Brown of Malvern, to whom he was married on December 21, 1957 in Hope, Arkansas; by a son, Don Ray Brown, II of Pittsburg, Texas; by two daughters and their husbands, Patti and Brooks Nickels of Hot Springs, and Donna Sue and Jace Ledbetter of Malvern; by three grandchildren, Jeremy McKiddy, Macklin Nickels, and Reece Nickels; and by two special friends, Jesse and Jennie Duckett of Hope.

Mr. Brown was also preceded in death by two sisters and two brothers.

His funeral will be on Saturday morning, October 6, 2007, at ten o'clock, in the sanctuary of St. Paul United Methodist Church with Reverend Dooley Fowler officiating. A private entombment will follow in Crestview Mausoleum in Hot Springs.

Pallbearers will be: John Grigsby, Lewis Lloyd, Terry Smith, Curt Crawford, Carl Murch, Jeremy Allen, and Craig Lingo.

Honorary pallbearers are: Hot Spring County Farm Bureau staff and board members, Arkansas Shorthorn Association members, Southern Arkansas University alumni, Maurice Hendrix, Jesse Clark, Dr. James Tollett, Bill Ledbetter, Don Fletcher, Melvin Bass, Gilbert Brown, Jr., "The Place" owners and staff, Bill Priefert family, Dr. Ricky Hughes, Dr. Carlos Rivas, Annesa Valls, RN, and Juanita Jones.

The family will receive friends at J. A. Funk Funeral Home on Friday evening from six until eight o'clock.

Memorials are requested to the Hot Spring County 4H Club Foundation, 1415 Smith Street, Malvern, AR 72104, or St. Paul United Methodist Church, Malvern.

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