James “David” Brown, 71, a resident of Santa Fe, Texas, passed from this life on May 25, 2025, in his home surrounded by his wife and children. He was born on July 27, 1953, in Texas City, Texas, to J. C. Brown and Marilyn Elizabeth (Mullins) Brown, as the second child of four.

David retired from Amoco B.P., where he made lifelong friendships that withstood the test of time and continued into retirement. Throughout his retirement, he went on to pursue many endeavors to stay busy, enjoying his favorite pastimes of woodworking, hunting, and coin collecting, but the most important was chasing after his grandchildren.

David lived a life of Grace and service, and early on, he volunteered for the Wallis, TX Fire Department, where he discovered his love of being a fireman. When the family moved to Santa Fe in 1985, he became a lifelong member of Santa Fe Fire and Rescue as a firefighter and soon after, added EMT to his resume. David continued this tradition for the next 40 years, reaching the level of lieutenant, all the while enjoying volunteering selflessly for his community.

David is preceded in death by his parents, J.C. and Marilynn Brown, his in-laws, Robert and Lila Goins, and his brother-in-law, James Mosely.

He leaves behind to treasure his memory, his loving wife of fifty-three years, Betty Jean Brown of Silsbee Texas; daughters, Jeanette Marie Tyler and husband, Scott;  Sherrie Dawn Salas and husband, Juan F.; son, Robert James Brown and wife, Jesse; sisters, Peggy  Halstead; Debra Hendley and husband, Wayne; brother, Larry Brown and wife, Diane. His greatest pride and joy-  grandchildren, Robert E. Brown, Isabella Salas and Elena Salas, David Trahan, Brian Trahan, Justin Tyler, and Toby Tyler.

In his honor, there will be a visitation on Thursday, May 29, 2025, from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm at Crowder Funeral Home 851 FM 517, Dickinson, Texas. A funeral service is planned for Friday, May 30, 2025, at 1:00 pm at Dayspring Church, 2221 FM 646 RD, Santa Fe, Texas. Interment will follow at Hayes Grace Memorial Park Cemetery in Hitchcock, Texas.

Pallbearers for the service Robert Brown, Robert E. Brown, Elena Salas, Brian Trahan, Clint Payne and  Bubba White.