David Joseph Brown transitioned peacefully surrounded by his immediate family, on July 24, 2026. Dave was born in Little Rock Arkansas to William and Mary Etta Brown on November 17, 1942. He graduated from North Little Rock High School and from the University of Arkansas with Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Architecture degrees.

He is survived by his wife of 64 years; Pat Healy Brown, his son, Doug (Kim); his daughter, Jennifer Livingston (Brent) and two grandchildren, Evan and Alexa. He is also survived by his sister, Becky Ellis (Ed), his sister-in-law, Glenda Daniel, and beloved nieces, nephews, and cousins of every degree of consanguinity and affinity imaginable. He is predeceased by his infant son, David J. Brown, Jr., his parents, William and Mary Etta Brown, his father and mother-in-law, L.D. and Birdie Mae Healy, and his brothers, William Haydon Brown and Gene Raymon Brown.

Dave worked for and was partner in several architectural firms. He was Deputy Director of Central Services of the State of Oklahoma and Director of Facilities for Francis Tuttle Career Tech. The two design projects he was proudest of were Guymon High School and Western Oaks Christian Church. His overall favorite but most challenging job was supervising on behalf of the state the addition of the dome on the Oklahoma State Capitol building. Dave was a member of the Central Oklahoma Chapter of the American Institute of Architects and the Oklahoma Board of Governors of Licensed Architects.

His dedication to education found expression through decades of volunteer leadership and community service. Always an advocate of quality education, he served 22 years on the Board of Education of Francis Tuttle Career Tech while simultaneously serving on the Oklahoma State School Board. After retirement, he and Pat spent two years tutoring second graders at Western Oaks Elementary. For several years, he also helped organize his church's community-building Back to School Extravaganza, serving three Putnam City schools along Northwest 23rd Street. An architect and planner at heart, he designed the event's layout, carefully sketching every table and booth placement until everything was just right. He treasured the lasting friendships he built while volunteering with all of these organizations.

When he discovered something he loved, he embraced it wholeheartedly, learned every detail and often shared that enthusiasm with others. Since the first word he ever uttered was "car," it is no surprise that sports cars became one of his lifelong passions. He took great pleasure in talking about, tinkering with, and driving his "vintage" Porsche 911 SC Targa. If you know, you know.

In the 1990s, he rekindled another childhood pastime when he bought his first fishing boat which returned him to the joy of roaming the outdoors and fishing the Arkansas river with his neighborhood "gang." What began as a pastime quickly became another passion. He spent countless weekends exploring his favorite lakes; researching all things fishing; selecting just the right rods, reels, and tackle, and never passing up the chance to add another piece of fishing gear to his ever-growing collection. His garage became a testament to that enthusiasm, sometimes to Pat's amusement and sometimes to her dismay. Fishing brought him hours of peace, lasting friendships, and some of his happiest days until declining health kept him off the water.

He loved gathering with his large extended family. Whether celebrating Christmas Eve with the Browns or Christmas Day with the Healys, spending the 4th of July on a cousin's property in Romance, or attending the Brown, Haydon, Raney, Healy, and Watson family reunions, he relished the opportunity to be surrounded by those he loved. He spent hours visiting around the table, reminiscing, sharing stories, and enjoying whatever dishes appeared on the buffet. He especially liked listening to his nephew and other family members make music and fill the air with old gospel hymns, bluegrass tunes, and family favorites. Family gatherings were never complete without one of his well-told stories, often delivered with a twinkle in his eye and a laugh waiting at the punchline. Those moments became some of his best memories.

More than anything else, Dave's greatest joy was his family, beginning with Pat, the love of his life and his faithful partner for 64 wonderful years. High school sweethearts, they built a life grounded in love, faith, laughter, hard work, and devotion to one another. Together, the architect and the lawyer made an extraordinary team. They raised a family, travelled the world, served their church and community, and cared for one another through every season of life.

The family they built was Dave's greatest accomplishment and his deepest source of pride. He was a constant presence in the lives of his children, faithfully coaching, attending games (baseball, softball, soccer, and basketball) and making sure they had every opportunity to pursue a college education. His children never questioned that they were deeply loved. As Doug and Jennifer built families of their own, Dave welcomed their spouses and delighted in becoming "Grandpa" to his grandchildren. He also delighted in his immediate family gatherings whether it be family ski vacations, fishing trips to the lake with the grandkids, or simply a quiet family breakfast at the Olde Orchard. Watching the family he and Pat began was a source of great comfort. To his children, he was an example of levity, integrity, kindness, and unconditional love. To his grandchildren, he was a patient teacher, an enthusiastic storyteller and jokester, and a source of encouragement. His family was never simply part of his life; it was his life's greatest blessing. They meant far more to him than his professional accomplishments, public service, or personal pursuits. The love he poured into them will remain one of his most enduring legacies.

A service to celebrate David's life will be held on Saturday, August 15, 11:00am, at Western Oaks Christian Church.

Memorial donations may be made to the Francis Tuttle Foundation, 12777 N, Rockwell, Oklahoma City, OK 73142 or Western Oaks Christian Church operating fund, 8100 NW 23, Oklahoma City, OK 73127 or to the charity for which you have a passion.