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Jack Samuel Brown, age 88, beloved and faithful husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather, passed into eternal life and peace on Tuesday, January 17, 2017. His wife of more than 64 years was by his side. Jack and Bobbie’s life is a reflection of all they hold most dear: faith, family and the many friends who admire and respect them. Jack and his twin brother, Joe, were born August 9, 1928, in Harlingen, Texas, to Verna and Sam Brown. Together with his younger brother, Ralph, Jack was a strong link in a family that loved music, God and our Country. After attending Mount Olive Lutheran School and graduating from Brackenridge High School in San Antonio, he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from Texas A&I University in Kingsville, Texas. It was there he also met the love of his life, Bobbie Jo Murphey. Shortly after moving to San Antonio, Jack joined Concordia, a mission church established by Dr. Guido Merkens and where Jack actively served for more than 60 years. He was among the church’s first members. Jack and Bobbie were married September 20, 1952, and together they built a life and a family that is close-knit and Christ-centered. In 1959, the year his twins were born, Jack established Brown Engineering Company, which thrived for almost 50 years before his sons stepped in to carry on the business and before retiring at the age of 80. Jack was an avid sportsman who passed along his love of hunting, fishing and the outdoors. His annual trip to Colorado elk hunting was a long-standing tradition, and he hosted several trips to Alaska to take his sons, nephews and grandkids salmon fishing. Using skills they learned from their father to work their way through college, the Brown brothers designed and built houses along a cove at Lake Buchanan that became a favorite family retreat that Jack and Bobbie named Rocky Shores. Anyone who met Jack knew that his wife and family were his greatest treasures. He attended countless sports events, recitals and other activities and became a familiar figure in the stands. Over the years, he made scrapbooks for his grandkids to showcase their many accomplishments – all meticulously made with an engineer’s precision and a grandfather’s heart. His trademark traditions of buying chocolate bunnies for the grandkids at Easter, gifting pecans, oranges and chocolate bark at Christmas and making an annual trek to Fredericksburg to buy peaches for friends and family are just some of the many ways he taught his family the joy and gift of generous giving. A patriotic, proud American and Army veteran, Jack is survived by his wife, Bobbie Jo Brown; son, Mark Samuel Brown (Kara); twins Jeffrey James Brown (Sue) and daughter Janise Brown Murphy; daughter Denise Brown Hayes (Ralph); grandchildren: Major Morgan Brown, twins James and Paul Brown, Bobbie (Nathan) Henze, Callie (James) Grant, Samuel Hayes, Jeffrey Hayes, Wendy Hayes, Megan (Max) Mullen, Erin Brown, Callan Brown, Jordan Murphy, Pearce Murphy, Connor Murphy and Ashton Murphy and great grandchildren: namesake Jack Henze, Samuel Henze and Audrey Henze. He is preceded in death by his parents and brothers. Services will be held on Saturday, January 21: Graveside Service at Mission Park North Cemetery at 9:30 a.m. followed by a Memorial Service and Celebration of Jack’s life at 11 a.m. at Concordia Lutheran Church at 16801 Huebner Road. Memorial gifts may be made to Concordia Lutheran Church.

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Jack Samuel Brown

August 9, 1928 - January 17, 2017