Donald "Donny" Edward Brown

Donald “Donny” Edward Brown entered heaven on August 17, 2026, surrounded by family, after a 19 month battle with cancer. Just like every other challenge in life, he faced his cancer diagnosis head on, ready to fight with all he had.

Donny was born May 16, 1948, in Bertram, TX, to Wes and Murel Brown. He came from a family of seven kids: Louise, Ruth, Marvin, Kenneth, David, Donny and Bobby. Donny was next to last in the order. They all grew up on a cotton farm and he was no stranger to hard work. In a family that large, there were always people around, including nieces and nephews who were more like siblings. He loved to tell stories about working the cotton fields, growing up in that era and the mischief the younger siblings and nephews got into.

He was raised in Liberty Hill and graduated from Liberty Hill High School in 1966; he was a four sport letterman all four years of high school. Upon graduation, his athleticism led him to Temple Junior College, where he and Brenda Ward met for the first time and even dated. He played basketball and ran track at TJC. Following his 2 years at TJC, Donny attended Southwest Texas University where he played football until an injury ended his career. In August 1969, he joined the United States Navy Reserve and on November 17, 1970, he married Elaine Watson from Bertram. Two weeks later he was deployed to the United States Naval Communication Station in the Philippines, where they would spend the next two years. He would recount the time in the Philippines fondly and loved talking about fast-pitch softball teams and the “adventures” that 24 year old sailors were prone to. If his mom knew of said adventures, she would’ve made him pick his own switch from one of her trees. He was released from Active Duty August 3, 1972, and returned to Southwest Texas. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Education December, 1973. He was released from the Naval Reserve August 4, 1975. Donny and Elaine were blessed with 2 daughters, Shonna and Neissa. Of note, his return to the United States was the last time he flew, vowing to never get on a plane again.

After graduating from SWT, Donny took his first coaching job at Jarrell High School. His career led him to many places: Riesel, Rogers, Belton Junior High and finally Lake Belton Middle School, where he retired in 2012. He coached and taught thousands of students and student athletes over his career. He could hardly go anywhere, that he didn’t run into a former student or coach. He spent many years driving all over the state of Texas for high school football and could tell you where the best chicken fried steak was anywhere in Texas. He would be quick to tell you that today, the best is just down the street at the Expo Quick Stop in Belton. And he would definitely want you to go have one!

Since his death, so many students and parents have shared the impact Coach Brown had on their life or the life of their kids. He had a hard exterior, but under that was a man with the biggest heart, especially for the underdog. He used to say that he knew he couldn’t help everyone, but if he could help one or two kids a year and change the trajectory of their life, he felt that when it all multiplied out over his career, he knew he had impacted thousands. He was always doing for others, whether it be buying shoes for a kid that needed new ones, giving the guy on the side of the road a few dollars, adopting a family at Christmas or helping anyone build or fix anything. If you knew Donny, you probably benefited from his craftsmanship at least once.

As all lives do, Donny’s life had some low spots too. He was very open about his days of alcoholism and was always willing to share his story with anyone that asked or needed the encouragement. For those in his life at that time, it wasn’t a well-kept secret. He stopped drinking in October 1984 and this year, would’ve celebrated 42 years sober. He never boasted about this, but every few years, he would make mention of the anniversary. He would also tell you that as hard as that was, it was totally worth the life on the other side, because this is where he met Brenda again.

Almost 20 years after first meeting, Donny and Brenda’s paths crossed again and they married August 23, 1986. They were just shy of celebrating their 40th anniversary. They created a beautiful blended family with Shonna (Tim), Neissa (Russell), Chris (Marisa) and Elaine too. Putting all of the hard times in the past, Donny, Brenda and Elaine managed to have a beautiful friendship that everyone benefitted from. Of all the titles Donny had, nothing was as special to him as Papaw. His grandkids Kendall, Alyssa, Claire, Bethany, Collin, Cole, Durant, Caleb and Malaine were he and Brenda’s world. He beamed with pride to talk about all of them. Papaw had to miss grandparent’s day lunch at one of the schools when the kids were little. He said that would be the last one he ever missed. He and Brenda retired at the end of that school year. You would find them on volleyball or basketball courts, soccer, baseball or football fields, poolside or at dance recitals for 20 plus years. They were always there for every “little” thing too: concerts, plays, talent shows, banquets, birthday parties, graduations. If one of the grandkids was in something, they were only absent because they were watching another grandkid. Up until about 6 weeks before Papaw’s death, you could still find him sweating it out in the July heat, watching a baseball game. It was a special tournament too, because three of the four grandsons were playing at the same location. It’s probably best to go ahead and give Papaw some bonus points for enduring the toddler and preschool soccer. He hated soccer and was so glad none of the grandkids ever played further!

When Donny got his cancer diagnosis and began feeling better after treatment, life looked different. He continued to prioritize all the sports, family dinners and holidays. Neissa and family moved to Miami and he and Brenda flew out there three times! Remember, he hadn’t flown since 1972. To say he lived life to the fullest would be an understatement. He showed that beauty can come from ashes and he wouldn’t want any of us to sit around being sad. He would want all of us to live life and love our people hard, just like he did.

The family would like to give special thanks to the Vasicek Cancer Treatment Center Temple, Dr. Gowan and his entire staff, the neurology floor at Baylor Scott & White Temple and Our Hospice House, Belton. You are all angels on Earth! In lieu of flowers, we ask that you please donate to Our Hospice House. You can donate online www.ourhospicehouse.org/donate/ or by mail 5235 Tollbridge Rd, Belton, Texas 76513.

We welcome you to join us in a celebration of life August 29, 2:00 PM at Dossman Funeral Home, 2525 N Main St, Belton. A private internment with family will be held at the Central Texas Veterans Cemetery in Killeen, with full military honors, at a later date.