Donald Lee Brown Sr. August 11, 1930 - April 22, 2015

Donald Lee Brown Sr., 84 of Columbus, Georgia passed away on Wednesday, April 22, 2015 at Columbus Hospice House.

Funeral services will be Saturday, April 25, 2015 in the Edgewood Hall of Striffler-Hamby at 11:00 AM with Dr. Tim Jones officiating. A private family graveside burial will follow in Parkhill Cemetery. Family will receive and visit with friends Friday evening from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM in the St. Elmo room at Striffler-Hamby. Serving as pallbearers will be Justin Brown, Matt White, Chris Brown, Mitch White, Conner Kees, and Kelly Garrett. The honorary pallbearers will be the Columbus Umpires Association and the Columbus Officials Association.

Donald Lee Brown Sr. was born in Columbus, Georgia on August 11, 1930, son of the late Jesse Brown and Lucy Harden Brown. Other than his parents, he is also preceded in death by sisters, Shirley Ann Brown, LaRue King, and Hazel McLendon; brothers, Gerald Brown and Charles "Bud" Brown. He retired from Civil Service after 33 years as a Communications Manager at Ft. Benning.

Don was born and raised in the Beallwood area, attended Baker High School and enlisted in the US Navy at 17 years old. He met his beloved wife JoAnn when they were teenagers. Don and JoAnn were committed to providing a Christian foundation for their children as members of Britt David Baptist Church. After serving as his sons' coach for many years, Mr. Brown developed a proud commitment to the advancement of athletic and sports activities in Columbus. He was the founding member and Executive Secretary of the Columbus Football Officials Association and the Executive Secretary of Columbus Umpires Association for many years. In 1986, he became a charter member of the National Indicator Fraternity. He was awarded the Hall of Honor Umpire for the Georgia ASA in 1990. In 2014, Mr. Brown met his long time goal of being an Athletic Official of 50 years in the Georgia High School Association.
But more importantly than anything, Don loved and cared for his family. His family has always known how exceptional he was as a loving provider, educator and friend. He will be deeply missed and will long retain a very special place in our hearts.

Survivors include his loving wife of 63 years, Jo Ann L. Brown of Columbus, GA; children: Donald "Donnie" Brown Jr. and his wife Patricia of Columbus, GA, LeAnn Brown of Columbus, GA, Sue White and her husband Vic of Columbus, GA, and Mark Brown of Cataula, GA; sister, Jean Williams; grandchildren: Jaime Brown, Meghan (Kelly ) Garrett, Justin (Jenny) Brown, Matt (Angel) White, Chris Brown, Mitch (Robin) White, Katelyn Brown, and Conner Kees; eight great-grandchildren and numerous loved nieces and nephews.

Flowers are welcomed, but those so desiring may make donations to Columbus Hospice at www.columbushospice.com or the Britt David Baptist Church Building Fund.