James F. ''Freddie'' Brown began his earthly journey in Phoenix Arizona on January 24, 1930, the second son to Lillian Florence and William Edward Brown. The Brown's soon relocated to Texas where Will worked for the railroad, settling in Lake Jackson. Our Grandmother Brown told stories of numerous trips to doctor's offices and hospitals due to Dad's willingness to take chances, all while she diligently tried to get him to concentrate on school rather than his favorite hobby of engines and automobiles. As a reward of his many entrepreneurial adventures, he would buy cars and motorcycles, fixing them up and showing others just how fast they would go. From his early days, he never met a stranger, only someone he previously didn't know. Owning transportation provided him an opportunity to meet new friends by providing rides home from school. Ruby Goeke happened to be one of those who Freddie offered a ride home and Freddie realized Ruby was the one for him. The US Army had other thoughts pertaining to his social life and requested his time and talents along with a free cruise to Korea where he served in the motor pool. After an honorable discharge, he returned to the Brazosport area and accepted a job with Dow Chemical but quickly realized that was not the career he preferred. Seeking something more aligned to his passion, he applied for a mechanic position in the shop at Curry Motor Company in Freeport which happened to be across the street from the Goeke's house. Buster Curry already knew who he was, as Freddie had been known to skip school as a teenager and work in Buster's garage during the school day, much to his mother's chagrin. Freddie enjoyed his job as a mechanic but as Buster would say, Freddie spent too much time in the parts department since it faced the Goeke's house. As the saying goes, the rest is history and he and Ruby married on May 9, 1954, with Buster and wife Lola in attendance. Freddie attributed his decision to opening his own automobile business to Buster Curry. Freddie, never being a person who was afraid to share his thoughts and ideas, decided to suggest certain changes be made at Curry Motor Company, particularly in the shop. Buster listened and asked Freddie to join him at the front of the dealership where Buster asked Freddie whose name was on the front of the building, Buster suggested Freddie open his own shop where he could implement his GOOD ideas. Being a young married couple by this time, he and Ruby combined their savings and convinced a local banker to lend them enough money to purchase land in Clute to build a shop. With a LOT of hard work, long days and continuous learning, together they built the business into one of the mainstays in Clute for many years, Brown's Auto Sales. Freddie operated the business for 64 years until he decided to retire at the young age of 89 in 2019. Post retirement, you could find him before the sun rose at Shipley Do-Nuts where he and Harold, Steve, Harold Jr., and Paul would share their thoughts about the daily topics. On Thursdays however, you would see him holding court with his Business Roundtable friends learning something new that he would share with the next person he talked to.
His favorite hobbies can best be described as work, racing and visits to Coushatta Casino. Dad's most frequent advice to anyone with extra time was simply 'find something to do' as he believed there is always 'something to do'. His knowledge of engines led him to owner championships at Meyerland Speedway. He understood the dangerous consequence of racing but thoroughly enjoyed the thrill of winning. Through the years Dad shared his love of speed by taking family and friends to racetracks throughout Texas and as far as Arizona, Florida and Indiana. Growing up with Dad meant being held accountable for errors in judgement coupled with plenty of rewards for jobs well done. If he raised his index finger, and many of you will know what we mean, you had better pay attention. There isn't enough ink to include all the valuable lessons he taught us, but a couple worth mentioning are…'It will be a better day tomorrow' and 'get after it'.
He was a member of Christ Lutheran Church in Lake Jackson for many years. His most recent active memberships include the Brazosport Round Table, 100 Club of Brazoria County and First National Bank of Lake Jackson Board of Directors. Other groups he has been a part of include Lake Jackson Historical Museum, Brazoria County Toll Road Authority, Brazosport Chamber and BACH to name a few. Notable awards were 1990 Independent Dealers Association of Texas Quality Dealer of the Year, 1994 Brazosport Chamber's Man of the Year; 2009 induction in the Brazoria County Business Hall of Fame; and most recently the 2019 Brazosport Chamber's Lifetime Achievement Award. Freddie completed his earthly journey peacefully on February 14, 2024, with his family by his side at Memorial Hermann in Houston following complications from surgery, he was 94 years of age.
Freddie is survived by his wife of 70 years, Ruby Goeke Brown; his devoted children Cary & Larry Rosenbohm, Jimmy & Jo Ann Brown, Preston & Judy Brown and Mary Ann & Brian Devine. Additional survivors include grandchildren Merilynn Broaddus, Kevin Rosenbohm, Jessica Brown, James Brown, Emily Willis, Melissa Brown, Rachel Fosdick, Laura Krajca, Kristen Charlebois, Kyle Devine, Kelsey Devine and Kent Devine; great- grandchildren Lola, Nora, Saylor, Sadler, Jordan, Tristan, Kendra, Sayde, Ryot, Everett, Ellie, Duke, William, Dakota, Walker, Rowan and Alice.
Pallbearers will be Wright Gore, Harold Monical, Bubba Rape, Tom Penvose, Harold Cox and Steve Stein. Honorary pallbearers will be Americo Gracia, Armando Sanchez, Leroy Wright and David Gibson
Funeral services are scheduled for February 20, 2024, at Christ Lutheran Church in Lake Jackson. Visitation will begin at 11:00 with the service at 1:00. Burial will take place at Restwood Cemetery. Dad would encourage anyone choosing to honor him to do so by donating to one of the following: Christ Lutheran Church in Lake Jackson, SPCA of Brazoria County or the 100 Club of Brazoria County.

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