Harry Edwinn Brown, Jr.

Off to his greatest adventure of everlasting life, Harry passed away peacefully in the home he built surrounded by family on May 11, 2020, twenty days before his 90th birthday. He blessed us with the following adventures of his life: Born May 31, 1930, in Oklahoma City, I attended Eugene Fields, Rosary Catholic School and Old Classen High School. I studied voice at OCU under Vera Nielson, graduated with a BS in economics from OSU, and received my Juris Doctorate from OU law school in 1959. At the age of eight, I developed osteomyelitis in my right tibia and was hospitalized from 1938 to 1940. From 1938 to 1952 I had more than 64 operations leaving my right leg 2.5 inches shorter than my left. Before each operation, Dr. O'Donahue told me that someday I would probably lose my leg and therefore I got wanderlust. In 1944, at age 14, my first love affair was a 1926 Essex Super Six car with a 1936 tag that I overhauled and drove all over OKC without a driver's license. Between the ages of 15 and 22, in spite of my handicap, I managed to visit 47 states as I hitchhiked across the USA. Because most of these travels were in the spring during high school, I intermittently attended the 3 year high school for 4 years without graduating. However, upon the encouragement of Hoagy Carmichael, whom I met on one of my travels to Houston, I auditioned at OCU and was accepted to music school without graduating high school. While at OCU, I was president of my fraternity pledge class and was 2nd chair violin. I later transferred to A&M (OSU) and because OCU became accredited I was grandfathered into the collegiate system. While at OSU, I was a Disc Jockey on 660 "The Voice of Aggieland". Teaching myself to play the guitar at an early age came in handy and serenading the girls in the dorm. Consequently, I was issued the first troubadour license in Stillwater. I worked as a Gandy Dancer for the Northern Pacific Railroad, a Mucker in the Bunker Hill mine in Kellogg, Idaho, a Euclid Skinner for Peter Kewitt at McConnell Air Force Base in Wichita, Kansas, Cowboy at Burnett and Fullerton Estate Ranches and a myriad of other jobs all across the country. During the Korean War, I tried to enlist in the Air Force but was denied because of my leg and given a 4F card. I married my high school sweetheart, Ione Carver, in November 1956 during my first semester at OU law school. I was selected by the Dean to accompany former President Truman on his tour of the campus. I was a member of an honors legal Fraternity. After graduating and passing the Bar, I hung my shingle and established my law office. Ione and I bought a half acre lot at NW 57th and Linn in OKC and in 1963 designed and built a house, literally ourselves, while practicing law and raising a family. We have never had a mortgage. I became very interested in reapportionment, so, I filed a case in federal court which was dismissed on a Thursday by Judge Luther Bohannon and the next Monday the US Supreme Court had upheld my issue in Baker vs. Carr, a Tennessee case. I helped Governor Edmonson and Attorney Sid White establish reapportionment for the state of Oklahoma known as "one man one vote". During the process of establishing reapportionment, I won one of my most famous cases, Brown v State Election Board, before the Oklahoma Supreme Court. In 1960, I received the Democratic nomination for State Representative for District 3, Oklahoma City, but lost by 11 votes. Later I joined the Republican Party as it was more closely aligned with my beliefs. I helped form "Citizens for Safe Trust" with the help of Attorney Lee Gill and E.K. Gaylord, Owner/Editor of the Daily Oklahoman and the Oklahoma City Times which was instrumental in bringing about a new majority on the Oklahoma City Council. Five of the most illustrious clients of mine were: Willy Nelson, Randy Travis, Dale Robertson, Vaughn Good and Bill Sidwell. In 1979 I became a Judge at the Corporation Commission in the Oil and Gas Division. Since 1980, I've specialized in oil and gas law. I am licensed in the Supreme Court of Oklahoma, Fifth District Federal Court of Western Oklahoma, Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals and the United States Supreme Court. Also, I am rated as a Preeminent Lawyer in the bar register of Martindale Hubbell with an AV rating. I am a patron of the Oklahoma Bar Association and a member of the Administration of Justice Committee that was instrumental in eliminating the Justice of the Peace System in Oklahoma. I have been appointed by every Governor since George Nigh to serve on the legal committee of the Interstate Oil and Gas Compact Commission where I served for several decades. My favorite sport is elk hunting which I enjoyed with my children in the mountains of Wyoming and Colorado. I am an Oklahoma Concealed Carry permit holder. I am very proud of my FICO credit rating of 848. I owned part interest in a gold mine in the Klondike which we visited during a trip on the Alaskan Highway with my family and my brother Patrick's family. I loved horses, became a licensed horse owner in seven states, was in many partnerships and raced my horses in seven different states. I have visited all 50 states, 18 countries in Europe, Jamaica, Canada and Mexico. I became a dual-citizen of Ireland at age 75. I was a Girl Scout troop leader for our three daughters, which was a lot of fun and a rewarding experience. I'm a Life Member of Girl Scouts. I was the Boy Scout Chairman of the Dan Beard District, and received the highest adult award: The Silver Beaver. I have been to Philmont Scout Camp three times, twice with my son and was Three Bead Woodbadge member. I also coached my daughter's undefeated softball team. I was Eucharistic Minister and a Lector at church. I am a fourth degree Knight of Columbus and served as Grand Knight for Council 1038. I am an Honorary Life Member of the Oklahoma Firefighter's Association, State Fire Chief's Association and the Retired Firefighter's Association and often served as their Parliamentarian during their conventions. I served on the Board of Directors for Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Christ The King School and three different Oklahoma Banks. I was Secretary and President of the Northwest Lions Club and was Zone Chairman. I was Parade Captain at the International Lions Parade in Dallas. I'm also a Life Member of the Worldwide William Wallace Society. I have witnessed several miracles in my life and feel fortunate to have a strong guardian angel. One miracle occurred when I was eight years old in the hospital while receiving Extreme Unction as my First Holy Communion. Several other miracles occurred in my travels across the US, narrowly missing death in car and train accidents, another when I was attending Mass at Christ The King Catholic Church, and also during a very serious illness at age 83 when I believe Mother Teresa intervened and helped save my life. I'm convinced that sooner or later the U.S. dollar "printing press money is coming home to roost" and believe this will bring about horrendous devaluation of our dollar and unbelievable inflation. All of which will result in economic dislocation and great political unrest. This has been brought about, as Thomas Jefferson predicted, by "The people finding their way to the treasury through their elected officials". Gold and silver is an answer but the government may confiscate it again. God help us. I am most proud of my wife Ione and our four children, their spouses, and eight grandchildren. I love every one of them "the most". I am extremely thankful to the Lord for my chance to live on this planet and blessing me with such a wonderful family. I am most thankful that the Lord gave me a soul to live eternally with Him.To my Wife, Children, Grandchildren and Family:My Prayer For Us!God the Father, son Jesus and Holy Spirit created our body and more importantly our eternal soul. He created this wonderful world and universe for us. One hundred years on earth is but a flicker in the flame of eternity. God loves you. He created us. Love God with your whole mind, heart, and eternal soul. Trust Him and have faith in Him like a child does a parent. Never doubt God for a second. He is real! Love Him and be with Him for an eternity. Harry E. Brown Jr. 7-31-2018 He was preceded in death by his mother Frances (Triplitt) Brown, father Harry E. Brown and brothers David (Beitman), Patrick, Mame and 2 sisters, Billie Frances (Beitman) and Patricia (Brown) Murray. He is survived by his wife of 63 ½ years, Ione (Carver); daughter, Sandy and Peter Pembroke; daughter, Debby and Doug Masi and children Danika, Dominick, and Denali; daughter, Kelly and Bryan Basey and children Bradley and Ben; and his son, Harry III and Marta and children Harry IV, Miguel and Laura. Viewing to be held on Friday May 22 at Smith & Kernke North noon-7 pm. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Saturday, May 23 at 10:00 a.m. (live-streamed at ckokc.org) at Christ The King Catholic Church. Burial will follow at Rose Hill Burial Park.MASKS WITH STRICT COVID SOCIAL DISTANCING REQUIRED. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Oklahoma State Firefighter's Museum Attn: OSFM Expansion in honor of Harry E. Brown, Jr., at 2716 NE 50 St. OKC 73111 or visit osfa.info/gift-shop/donations/ or call 800-308-5336.