Joe Ray Brown

Joe Ray Brown of Groesbeck and Old Union passed away Saturday, July 7, 2018 at Groesbeck LTC Nursing Home at the age of 76.Visitation will be held from 6-8 PM on Monday, July 9, 2018 in the Groesbeck Funeral Home Chapel.Funeral services will be conducted at 10 AM on Tuesday, July 10, 2018 at Central Baptist Church in Thornton with Rev. Tracy Sims and Chaplain Jon Honea officiating.  Burial will follow at Old Union Cemetery.    Masons will serve as pallbearers and conduct Masonic Graveside Services.Joe was born in Richland, TX on May 6, 1942 to Jack and Bertha (Favors) Brown.  He grew up at Oletha, and graduated from Thornton High School in the Class of 1960. Joe was a local farmer and rancher all his life and had a reputation as a very good dozer operator.    He was a hard worker, having learned to work with his father as a young boy in dozer work, and did dozer work all over the local area until he was disabled with a stroke at age 49. Joe remained very active even after his stroke and liked to be out and about every day, talking to people.   He was always willing to sell tickets to any activity going on the community and you would see him with his money bag and tickets.    He knew everybody in the county, and enjoyed going to Mary’s and the Dairy Queen to drink coffee and visit. Joe loved music all his life, and was in a band when he was young; he played the guitar as long as he was able.   He loved dominoes, and playing 42.   He would play anytime he could get a game up, especially Friday nights.    He still enjoyed playing after he was living in the Nursing Home.He was a long-time member of the Thornton Masonic Lodge #486, and was proud to have received his 50-year pin some years ago.  Joe was preceded in death by his parents, Jack and Bertha Brown; wife, Myrna Brown son, Brandon Brown; grandson, Randy Brown; sister, Helen Engram; sister, Merle Oates; and brother, John Brown. He is survived by his son and daughter-in-law, Steve and Janelle Brown of Mexia; granddaughters and their husbands, Brittany and Jeff McDowell of Fairfield, and Kathleen and Jason Vincent of Groesbeck; grandsons, Keith Brown of Bremond and Clint Brown of Mexia; great grandchildren, Braden, Gage and Jace Vincent of Groesbeck; and Bailey and Cason McDowell of Fairfield; sister-in-law Ann Brown of Thornton; brother-in-law, Joe Glenn Oates of Old Union; and many nephews and their families; and other extended family.