Ray Brown

Ray Brown, age 92, went to sleep in Jesus, with his family by his side on July 21, 2018. He was born February 4, 1926 in Wichita Falls, TX to Raymond and Winnie Brown. 

The family moved to Phoenix when he was 7 and he graduated grade school in 1942.  Ray served 3 years in the United States Navy as a Fireman Second Class on the U.S.S. Pennsylvania, receiving an honorable discharge in July 1946. He soon began working for the California Dept. of Transportation and owned a ranch near Redlands, CA.  Ray moved back to Phoenix in 1952 and married the love of his life, Georgia, June 30, 1958, whom he lovingly referred to as "Babe". He owned and operated Brown Mexican Adobe and Bell Mattress Company from 1953-1985. While living in Phoenix Ray also worked in law enforcement for approximately 30 years. He and Georgia moved to Linden, AZ in 1986 where he planned to retire. Instead, on August 10, 1987 he became Navajo County Constable, District 5. After being re-elected 4 times, he finally retired on December 31, 2010.

His love for mules, horses and trail riding began at an early age and was his lifelong joy and passion, one that he instilled in his children and grandchildren. He loved camping and was an awesome camp cook, making a phenomenal Dutch oven peach cobbler. His homemade biscuits were always requested an any family gathering and he was quite proud of his huevos rancheros. Anyone who knows him will tell you that he could tell a story with true embellishment. His mischievous smile and his loving wink will be greatly missed.

The unconditional love for his family was beyond measure and we will forever miss him. He is survived by his loving wife of 60 years, Georgia; 8 daughters, Karen Cummings, Barbara Mayes, Kathy Brown, Pat James (Clyde, dec'd), Barbara Bannister (Kim), Marsha Fetzer (Dick), Peggy Donaldson (Shawn), and Bonni Polyak (Glenn). His legacy will forever live on in his 17 grandchildren, 24 great-grandchildren, and 10 great-great grandchildren. Trying to balance out the odds, Ray and Georgia also fostered 6 teenage boys, in addition to their daughters.

A Memorial Service to celebrate Ray's life will be Saturday, July 28, 2018 at 5:00 P.M. at the Show Low Seventh-day Adventist Church, 701 S. 8th Ave, Show Low, AZ.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to: Reigning Grace Ranch, AZRGR.ORG, 480-466-2154