Weldon Eugene Brown, 89, of Coleman went to be with the Lord on Sunday, March 26, 2023.
The family will host a visitation from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. Thursday, March 30, 2023 at Stevens Funeral Home, 400 West Pecan Street in Coleman.
Friends and family are invited to attend the funeral service beginning at 2:00 p.m. at Stevens Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Kevin Morton officiating. There will be a private family burial with Military Honors at the Valera Cemetery in Valera, Texas.
Weldon was born on April 6th, 1933, in Coleman County to Raymond Brown and Kate Mulanax Brown. Weldon grew up and attended school in Valera, Texas, graduating from Centennial High School, where he enjoyed playing basketball for the Bulldogs. Weldon and his future wife, Betty LaNell Gassiot, started dating while students at Centennial High School and continued to date after Weldon served in the U.S. Army. He served in the Army from April 3rd, 1953 until February 17th, 1955 being stationed in Seoul, South Korea.
Weldon married Betty Gassiot on May 22, 1955 after returning from South Korea. They were married in a unique double wedding with his best friend/cousin Dewayne (Bugs) Nixon and her best friend Tommie Jean James, followed by a honeymoon in Ruidoso, New Mexico. Weldon and Betty then moved to Coleman in 1955 and were married for over 64 years.
Weldon worked more than 20 years as a law enforcement officer in Coleman’s Sheriff and Police Departments, last in the capacity as Chief of Police. He also served as a Regional Coordinator for the Texas Governor’s Office of Traffic Safety.
Weldon was a loving, devoted husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather, too. He was an avid supporter of his children and grandchildren’s activities, served as a Sunday School Teacher at Valera Methodist Church, a member of the Keep Coleman Beautiful Committee, Valera Cemetery Association, and Centennial High School Reunion Committee. Weldon loved deer hunting on his farmland near Centennial and vacationing with his family in Branson, Missouri, enjoying shows and listening to the sounds of country music and gospel quartets.
From teaching Sunday School to attending church services, Weldon was a loving man who will be greatly missed by many. The Beatitudes from Matthew remind us “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God” (Matthew 5:9, NIV). Second Timothy 4:7 further sets the context “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful.” Based on these, scriptures, our sorrows can be comforted because Weldon now has a big smile on his face as he has no more worries, he is with God, and the love of his life Betty Brown.
Weldon is preceded in death by his wife: Betty Brown, parents Raymond and Kate Brown and brothers Davy Lee and Winford Brown.
He is survived by his children Terry Brown and wife, Renee’ of Coleman, Texas, Todd Brown and wife, Alair of Sunrise Beach, Texas; grandchildren Dustin Brown and wife, Tara of San Angelo, Shaina Kleman and husband, Brock of Lubbock, Erin Brown of Austin, Paige Brown of Houston, Chad Brown of Atlanta, Georgia; great grandchildren Rilyn Brown of San Angelo, Bentley Brown of San Angelo, Huxley Brown of San Angelo, Symbree Kleman of Lubbock, Landree Kleman of Lubbock, Camree Kleman of Lubbock and Kole Kleman of Lubbock. Also surviving are his brother and sister-in-law Lynn and Sandy Brown of Tye; sisters-in-law Dokie Bledsoe of Valera, Glenda Gassiot of Valera, as well as many nieces and nephews.
A special thanks to Owl Drug Store for keeping the morning coffee hot and serving Chief’s eggs over easy or biscuits and gravy for many years, and to the staff of Holiday Hill for taking special care of “Chief” during his last four years. Finally, a special thanks to Dr. Reynolds and Coleman County Medical Center for Weldon’s care during his last days.
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made in Weldon’s name to the Valera Cemetery Association c/o Vicki Cardinas, 122 East 24th Street, Coleman, Texas 76834.
Please feel free to leave condolences, kind thoughts and memories of Weldon at www.stevensfuneralhome.com. Stevens Funeral Home is honored to serve the Brown family
Last but not least:
“Coleman Dispatch……..on behalf of former Chief of Police Weldon Brown, this is his final 10-42 radio sign off….Tour of duty completed…….gone but not forgotten….”