Dearl Dwayne Brown

COOLIDGE - Dearl Dwayne Brown, 79, of Coolidge died on Sept. 26, 2014, in Gilbert.

Visitation will begin at 9 a.m. Thursday at J. Warren Funeral Services, Cole & Maud Coolidge Chapel. The funeral will follow at 10, with Chaplain Ken Collins officiating. Burial will be in Heritage Valley Memorial Park.

Mr. Brown was born on Aug. 7, 1935, in Braggs, Oklahoma, to Lemuel and Blanche Brown. In 1956 he married Shirley, his wife of 56 years until her death in 2012. He worked on farms for many years until retiring at age 72 and loved working outdoors.

He was devoted to his family and friends. Although he and his wife had three biological children, many called him Dad. He was well known in Coolidge and was part of the daily "staff meeting" at Tag’s Cafe. He enjoyed fishing and hunting.

Survivors include a daughter, Debra Lawson of Casa Grande; a son, Tony Brown of Coolidge; a brother, Utah Brown of Cerritos, California; seven grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. In addition to his wife, he was preceded in death by a son, Randy Brown; three brothers, Gene, Leon and R.L. Brown; and two sisters, Terry Williams and Ruby Teeples