David Brown

Born in Springfield, IL, passed away peacefully surrounded by family in Albuquerque, NM.

Dave was like a tall tale, bigger than life with a huge laugh and a million stories. He graduated from Western Illinois University with a degree in accounting and law enforcement. As a young man he was an investigator in the Illinois Bureau of Investigation and officer candidate in the US Navy. He left the Navy, relocated to New Mexico and began working at Plains Electric Generation and Transmission Company, eventually becoming Manager of Power Operations. After an early retirement he became a full time Dad to his children and caretaker for his and Donna's aging parents.

Throughout his life Dave pursued many passions and interests: small engine aircraft piloting as a member of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA), scuba diving as a PADI certified Advanced Open Water diver, sailing as a member of the Rio Grande Yacht Club, motorcycles as a member of the Gold Wing Road Riders Association (GWRRA), amateur astronomy as a member of The Albuquerque Astronomy Society (TAAS), Single Action Shooting Society (SASS) as "Irish Deuce Dave," and N-scale model railroading. He also loved gaming and MMORP and was a level 92 Dark Elf Hunter named Brauntree in World of Warcraft and recently began his quest to save civilization in Fallout 4.

He founded the Brown Cattle and Feed Company, brand Shamrock B ("Ride for the Brand"), in 2013 in Mountainair, NM. His biggest adventure in cattle ranching happened when a testy yearling steer threw him 20 feet into the air. That was a fun trip to the ER; he was the talk of the Anna Kaseman hospital that day. You mess with the bull, you get the horns.

Dave was devoted to his family. He leaves behind his wife and soulmate of 27 years Donna Johnson Brown, his three children Ben Brown (Elena Schrader), Celia Wallace (Brian Wallace), and Robin Wagner (Sam Wagner). Dave's children will tell you he could be kind of a hard*ss parent, so it is amazing to them all what a marshmallow of a Grandpa he was. His four grandchildren had him firmly wrapped around their fingers and hearts. Jackson, Olivia, Grace and Elliott will forever miss their Grandpa Dave and Bompa.

Other beloved family members include cousins Richelle and Tim Sims, nieces Tina Ferriola and Nicole Marchand (Ray Marchand), nephew Ricky Ferriola, sister-in-law Nancy Storks (Brett Storks) and dear friends Gary and Carolyn Fulfer, the caregivers of his brother-in-law Jon Michael "Mike" Johnson. He is preceded in death by his parents Bernard and Rosemary Brown, his sister Alice Ferriola and brother-in-law Rick Ferriola.

Dave's family would like to thank the Neuroscience Intensive Care Unit at UNMH for their extraordinary care and compassion during his recent hospitalization. Anyone wishing to make a donation in his honor should direct it to University of New Mexico Foundation, Neuroscience Intensive Care Unit. A Memorial Service will be held on Friday, November 17, 2023 at FRENCH-Lomas, at 5:00 p.m

Dave will be looking down at us all making sure we Live Long and Prosper and remember That Not All Who Wander Are Lost. Please raise a toast in his memory. Sláinte!