DeWayne Mitchell Brown, 89 year old Vici, OK. resident was called to his heavenly home on June 17, 2022 in Elk City, OK.  He was born in St. Paul, KS. on August 26, 1932, the eldest son of Harry Mitchell and Leona Darlene (Rahm) Brown.  At the age of five his family moved to western Oklahoma and he began school at the Hough one room school north of Guymon, OK. until the 5 ^th grade.  In 1941 the family returned to Hugoton, KS. where DeWayne continued his education until he enlisted in the U.S. Navy at the age of 19 during his senior year of high school.  On March 25, 1951 in Clayton, New Mexico, Dewayne was united in marriage to a cute, curly haired young lady that had attended Hugoton High School where he lovingly dipped her curls in an ink well, Marilyn Fern Watts, she was the love of his life.  Due to Dewayne's enlistment, the newlyweds moved to a basement apartment in San Diego, CA. and DeWayne began Navy Boot Camp and medical training at the Naval Hospital.  In 1952 he completed Marine Boot Camp at Camp Pendleton in Long Beach, CA. and was deployed to Korea as a Medical Field Technician.  Marilyn returned to Hugoton, KS. to reside with her parents and shortly after DeWayne arrived in Korea, the couple was blessed with their first daughter, Yolanda Rhaleen.  Two more daughters would complete the family, Denise Renee in 1956 and Lisa Delyn in 1966.

After his tour of duty in Korea, DeWayne was stationed in Japan until
his honorable discharge in April of 1955.  Following his military service, DeWayne and family moved to Weatherford, OK. where he attended Southwestern Oklahoma State University majoring in Pharmaceutical Science. He received his degree in 1959.  His career as a pharmacist began as an employee in Perryton TX. followed by moves to the Texas towns of Dimmitt and White Deer.  He was the owner and operator of a pharmacy in Texhoma, OK. and Shattuck, OK. before moving his family to Vici, OK. in 1972.  He established Brown Pharmacy and remained a business owner for 32 years before retiring in 1995.

Always ready with an opinion, DeWayne was very active in the Vici community.  He served on the Vici School board, was a member of the Vici Rodeo Club and served as a first responder.  He was serious about preserving history and was passionate about the restoration of the KATY depot, the Veterans Memorial and the Great Western Trail.  He was a faithful member of the Vici First Christian Church, serving as an elder and deacon.

His special interests included reading, watching old western movies (especially John Wayne), raising a few cattle and he always had a horse to ride.  His greatest joy was spending time with his family.  He loved to take spur of the moment adventures, often loading up the family and ending up at Alabaster Caverns, Canton lake, the salt plains or Boiling Springs.  He was a loving & devoted husband, father, grandpa, son, brother and friend that will be greatly missed.

DeWayne is preceded in death by his parents, Harry and Leona Brown, his brothers, Ronald Brown, Johnny Brown and Harry Don Brown and other loved ones.

His memory will be cherished by his beloved wife of 71 years, Marilyn of Vici, OK., his daughters, Yolanda Gunter and her husband Larry of Sayre, OK., Renee Knight and her husband Mike of Yukon, OK. and Lisa Grady and her husband Ronald of Poteau, OK  Six grandchildren, Brooklynn, Breanne, Chase, Erin, Jared and Trey and twelve great grands with one on the way.  Sisters in law, Beverly Brown and Judy Kemper and brother in law Bill Watts and his wife Sue.  Numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and a host of friends.

Memorials may be made to the

Vici First Christian Church

or the

Vici Fire Department

C/O Shaw Funeral Home

P.O. Box 276, Vici, OK 73859