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Richard Brown '79 April 12, 2021 2:46 PM updated: April 12, 2021 3:22 PM

Richard Elmore Brown
August 15, 1957 – April 18, 2020

Richard Elmore Brown passed away on April 18, 2020 in Houston, Texas. Richard, better known as Rich, grew up in Bellaire with 2 older brothers, Jim and Roy, and one older sister, Denise. His father, Elmore, was 50 years old when he was born, making Rich one of the greatest “miracles” in his life.

Growing up with a retired father, Rich and his father enjoyed going fishing nearly every weekend in their jon boat. When they came home after a successful fishing trip Rich would clean the fish and wash the boat while his dad went in and took a shower and had a beer - a tradition he passed down to his kids. Rich graduated from Bellaire High School in 1975 with a GPA - well he graduated. Not being the most dedicated student, he had to first attend Blinn Jr College in Brenham where he frequently took tours of the Blue Bell factory for free ice cream. He transferred to Texas A&M his sophomore year, fall of 1976. His love for the outdoors inspired him to study wildlife and fisheries at Texas A&M. After an internship one summer on a shrimp boat studying the ecosystem of shrimp with a man who had his doctorate in biology - he immediately decided to pick up a minor in marketing and go into sales like his father after he found out how much more school was required for such a job. While at Texas A&M, Rich met the love of his life, Donna, in an organic chemistry. They began studying together and then dating, for seven years before getting married.

His first job out of college was with Ashland as a chemical salesman, where he quickly excelled with his jokes and storytelling prowess. After a few years he transferred over to the chemical packaging services side of the business. He worked there for a few years before they asked him to sign a non-compete contract and he refused so they let him go - perfect timing. He had already decided to start his own packaging company. He partnered with CSD, a packaging company that fulfilled government contracts, where he started the retail side. He started his own label, Startex, and landed his biggest client, Sherwin Williams, where his products can still be seen there today. Rich was a fantastic salesman, and he loved meeting new people because then he had a whole new audience for his comedic material.

Rich and Donna had a total of six kids, each with a Texas themed name. Clayton Austin '11, Carter Houston, Dallas Anne (the only girl), Chance Marshall, Cotton Texas '20 (thinking he would be the last) and Cooper Richardson, a “miracle” just like his father. Rich was very involved with his children. He always coached at least one of them in baseball or softball while they were growing up. In addition, he loved taking his kids fishing, or as the kids saw it, taking him fishing. Like his father he insisted the kids drive the boat, find the fish, and clean the fish. He convinced it was a “learning experience” for them as he enjoyed a cold beverage watching them wash the boat. Looking back, his children now appreciate the trust and handoffs mentality their father had.

In 2012 Rich’s sister, Denise passed away. Rich and a partner purchased her business, Miller Funeral Home. Whenever Rich would see a crowd of old people he would say, “look at all that inventory” and soon after would joke with a smirk on his face, “It won’t be long now. Soon it will be Miller time.”

Rich and his partners sold their company CSD and Startex in 2013 and was able to retire at the age of 56. He had a great reputation for customer service and quality of merchandise. He treated each client as a friend because that is what most of them had become. Even after he retired, he called many of them just to catch up. Being retired was a little hard at first, but eventually he got used to going to Starbucks every morning, piddling around the house and going to his lake house on Lake Livingston. He fished with the kids every time they were free and with six of them one of them was usually available.

Rich was a great son, brother, friend and father. He was also the perfect husband and best friend to Donna. His quick wit, one liners, nasty jokes and great laugh is missed. His kids could not have asked for a better father. They could have asked but it would have been impossible. His friends knew he was there for them if they needed him. Rich’s “Miller time” may have come sooner than expected, but everyone who met him will always remember his humor, compassion, and love for life.


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