Roll Call Tribute

Ronald Casey Brownlow 

October 29, 1966 - October 17, 2024 

With heavy hearts, we announce the sudden passing of Ronald Casey Brownlow, 57 of Tyler, Texas on October 17, 2024. Casey burst into the world on October 29, 1966 to the delight of his parents, Donna Drake Farmer and Joseph Ronald Brownlow. After a childhood of moving around the state, his family settled in Palestine, Texas, where Casey graduated from Palestine High School in 1985.

In pursuit of his passion for architecture, Casey attended Texas A&M University and The University of Houston. But, ultimately, Casey found a career in landscape architecture where, untethered to a desk and working within God’s glorious nature, he left his indelible mark and signature style on the gardens of his numerous clients. Marrying his love of architecture, plants and people, Casey began his professional career at Houston Greenscape.

On October 17, 1997, Casey met the love of his life, Kelley Elizabeth Moore on a blind date in Houston. While she was in graduate school in North Carolina, the two quickly fell in love, were engaged in January of 1998 and married January 16, 1999. Casey and Kelley moved to Tyler, knowing almost no one and without jobs, for the love of a historic home desperate for the loving touch of two very young, very eager, new owners. Casey began working at Wilhite Landscaping and the couple had their first, cherished son, George Philip Moore Brownlow. Then in 2008, the couple was blessed by the birth of their second, precious son, Harris Kelley Brownlow.

Casey’s ability to see the finished, three-dimensional garden from a raw piece of land, his innate and unwavering respect for the principles and elements of design and his God-given talent for landscape design led him to found his own business, Brownlow and Sons Garden Works. Working with a dedicated group of landscape professionals, Casey’s team changed the face of Tyler’s landscape. Even on the hardest days, Casey would tell you how much he loved his career and felt such happiness being able to create something beautiful for other people.

His lust for life was unparalleled and he derived joy from things big and small: a classic country music playlist, a roadtrip on the backroads of Texas with lots of detours and no clear destination, making gumbo for friends, Texas history and art, a good nap, the architecture of John Staub, story telling and the stories of others, dinner parties, babies, old people, white Ford trucks and being on a ranch exploring.

Above all, though, he loved people. He was thoughtful and mindful of the needs of others. He cared deeply for friends and family in good times and bad, always endeavoring to be a servant without asking for anything in return. If you have ever felt seen or valued by Casey, then you should know how much he loved you.

Casey is survived by his devoted wife, Kelley Moore Brownlow, his two adored sons, George Philip Moore Brownlow and Harris Kelley Brownlow. He is survived by his mother, Donna Drake Farmer, and father, Joseph Ronald Brownlow and wife, Theresa, sister, Laura Nanette Brownlow and brother, Benjamin Jay Brownlow and wife, Tammy. He was blessed with bonus siblings, Debbie Washmon and husband, Bob and Wade Farmer and wife, Kim. Mother and Father-in-Law, Sally and Tommy Schillaci, Sister-In-Law, Molly Moore Khalil and Brother-in Law, Samy Khalil, Sister-in-Law, Sarah Bauer Hernandez and Brother-in-Law, Michael Hernandez. Casey leaves behind cherished nieces and nephews, Philip Khalil, Nicholas Khalil, Mary Samia Khalil, Edward Khalil, David Hernandez, Landon Herron, Noah Brownlow, and Rebecca Brownlow Wedel.

He was preceded in death by his precious brother, Brady Dale Brownlow and grandparents, Marless and Nannie Drake and Joseph William and Laura Brownlow.

Honorary pallbearers: James Abell, Andy Bergfeld, Jeff Blackstone, Peter Boyd, Jared Dunlap, John Fry, Danny Lansford, Omar Mendez, Stephen Jack Mizer, Lanny Musslewhite, Will Rainer, Whit Riter, Clayton Whitney, Russell Whitney, and Stewart Whitney.

A Visitation will be held from 5-7pm Wednesday, October 23, 2024 at the Stewart Family Funeral Home in Tyler, Texas. A Celebration of Life will take place at 11am, Thursday, October 24, 2024 at Marvin Methodist Church in Tyler, Texas with a brief reception to follow.

If you choose to remember Casey, memorials may be made to the Music Ministry at Marvin Methodist Church, the Heritage Rose Garden at the Tyler Rose Garden, the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.