Donald R. Brown's Obituary
Donald R. Brown, D.D.S. of Fort Myers, FL went to be with his Lord Tuesday, November 18, 2014. He was 93. Dr. Brown was born March 30, 1921 in Detroit, MI to the late E. Douglas Brown and Jessie Walker Brown. He was Born Again March 15, 1938 and began his lay ministry one week later preaching the Gospel in the streets, poor houses and hospitals. He attended Wheaton College from 1939-1940 majoring in science. During his time at Wheaton, he was a Sunday school superintendent, a member of the wrestling team and he sang in Billy Graham’s gospel quarter. After meeting the girl of his dreams, Joyce MacDonald, they were married December 23, 1943. From 1941-1944, Dr. Brown transferred to the University of Michigan School of Dentistry where Stacy Woods gave him the honor of leading the first Intervarsity Christian Fellowship in the USA. During his direction under IVCF, they conducted a university wide evangelistic outreach to 9000 students and faculty in a 3 year period. From 1944 through 1946 Dr. Brown was a member of the US Navy Dental Corps – Great Lakes Naval Station. He entered private practice in Detroit and operated his office from 1947 – 1986. Missionaries worldwide were taken care of at no charge. He was active in his church and his community teaching and mentoring with Joyce High School and college youth at the Highland Park Baptist Church. He served on the Board of Directors and as chairman of Voice of Christian Youth (Detroit 1947-1986); Board of Directors and chairman of Detroit Bible College for 15 years; Board of Directors of Detroit Christian Business Committee (1947-1985) and he taught the Business Men’s Breakfast Bible class for 10 years. In 1953, Don was in the US Military during the Korean Conflict serving on the Military Advisor Group, Taegu, Korea teaching at the Taegu Bible Institute 6hrs per week. He co-founded the Tong Sung Church and preached in tent church every Sunday to North Korean Refugees. Operating as an Oral Surgeon in Korea, he performed surgery on wounded Korean soldiers and repaired serious facial injuries. He also organized Billy Graham’s film “Oil Town” for US Troops. Between 1956 and 1976 he was a Deacon with Highland Park Baptist church and was a founding member of Southfield Christian School (K-12) in 1972. He also was a founding Board Member of Service Master Corporation – “Masters of Service, serving the Master” for 17 years. Don regularly conducted Men’s Prayer Breakfast meetings in his home from 1951-1952. This was the committee to bring Billy Graham to Detroit for a city wide campaign. His wife, Joyce, served breakfast every Tuesday morning for 15 men for 2 years. She will get her reward. He remained steadfast in his faith; he served on the staff of Campus Crusade Lay Ministries and taught adult Bible Class at Highland Park Baptist Church. Along with his wife, they spent many leisure hours on the Great Lakes cruising on their own boat and ultimately all the way to Florida and back. They retired in Gaylord, MI in 1986 and taught bible classes in the Evangelical Free Church, Bethany Chapel and evenings at Gaylord Presbyterian Church. He built a new Moody Radio Station in memory of his parents, WPHN in Northern Michigan and did missionary dentistry in the jungles of Honduras in 1988. He and Joyce moved to Florida where he continued his bible teachings with McGregor Baptist, Covenant Presbyterian and Naples Baptist churches for 15 years. He preached and supported evangelistic campaigns in India and Kenya, Africa. He and Joyce also served as counsellors to Intervarsity Christian Fellowship – Edison Community College of Fort Myers from 1991 to 1995. He served as the Assistant Chaplain to the United States Power Squadron from 1997 through 2004. Don credits his helpmate, Joyce, who worked hard and kept it all together – even with her own ministries. After a life of God-given health and joyous time of Christian Service, they moved on to Shell Point for their last home on this earth. Praise God from whom all blessings flow. In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his brother, Douglas. He leaves behind to cherish his memory, his wife of 70+ years, Joyce; his daughters, Barbara (Keith) Carlson of Kinnelon, NJ and Nancy (Tracy) Calloway of Simpsonville, SC; five grandchildren, Susan, Donald, Laura, Jonathan and Jeremy and four great grandchildren, Willow, Meadow, Julia and Jonathan. A celebration of Life service will be held 2:15 p.m. Saturday, November 22, 2014 at the Village Church at Shell Point, 15100 Shell Point Blvd, Fort Myers, FL 33908. Fort Myers Memorial Gardens Funeral Home is serving the family. Online condolences and remembrances may be sent on Dr. Brown’s tribute page at www.fortmyersmemorial.com In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to The Village Church 15100 Shell Point Blvd. Fort Myers, FL 33908.
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