James Robert Brown

James Robert Brown, 80, of Dallas, Texas, went to join his Heavenly Father on June 21, 2026, Father’s Day, with both of his boys holding his hands.

James was born into a farming family in Haskell, Texas on March 23, 1946. He went about life as one might expect for a boy growing up in a small, West Texas town. Days often involved hard work on the cotton farm, sports, hunting, mischief on country roads, and hours of visiting at the drive-in. Priorities shifted for James early in high school when a new student from Olton, Texas arrived. Wanda Nixon got his attention immediately and held it for well over sixty years until the moment he left to be with Jesus. They were inseparable.

James played football and ran track at Haskell High School, with some of his athletic exploits gaining notoriety in the region. Many decades later, one of his sons met then-Governor Rick Perry, who grew up watching James’s athletic endeavors. The Governor immediately spoke of James’s lightning speed; introductions came later. James continued his track career at Baylor University, where he ran the 100 and 200 meters under legendary track coach Clyde Hart. This was also at this time when James realized his speed had its limits. He wisely placed more focus on his studies.

James and Wanda were married on June 3, 1967. He graduated from Baylor a year later in 1968, giving his bride a promise to help her get through college the way she helped him. He built a long and distinguished career in sales, spending the bulk of those years in financial services from the late 1970s through 2009. He was regarded as a gifted closer who genuinely loved the work and the relationships it produced. He also kept his promise to Wanda, selling tools for Hilti while she obtained her degree from Texas Tech University while raising two young children.

Over the course of his life, James called several places home. He began raising his family in Lubbock before relocating to Tucson, Arizona in 1981, where they lived for more than two decades. In 2004, James and Wanda returned to Texas, living in Tyler, Jacksboro, and Dallas.

James was an avid hunter who spent much of his leisure time in the field, at the reloading bench, or otherwise engaged in everything the sport had to offer. Some of his most cherished memories are from hunting whitetail deer in Texas and antelope in New Mexico alongside his brothers. Besides hunting, James loved to watch his boys compete in athletics. He spent countless hours at the ball field eating sunflower seeds, cheering, and hollering at the umpires.

James gave his life to Christ as a young child, and was known, especially in his later years, for sharing the gospel with anyone, anywhere. The day before he passed away, his nurse warmly shared with a smile, “all he talks about is Jesus.” His faith was simple and came easy to him. In contrast, the unsolvable riddles in his life were finding quality officiating in any sport, locating a good barber in a new town, and Democrats.

Those who knew James well remembered him as warm, personable, and always prepared to share a tale. He was a devoted husband, present father, and loyal friend. He also treasured his bond with his four brothers and friends Barry O’Neal and Bill Eggar. A steady rotation of the gospel, hunting, politics, Baylor sports, and grandchildren dominated his conversations in his later years.

James is survived by his wife, Wanda Brown, of Dallas, Texas, his sons, Jeff Brown and daughter-in-law Michele of Jacksboro, Texas, and Russ Brown and daughter-in-law Renee of Dallas, Texas. Six grandchildren also survive him: Reagan Brown of Fort Worth, Texas, Grady Brown and Lyla Brown of Jacksboro, Texas; Luke Brown, Garrett Brown, and Evelyn Brown, all of Dallas, Texas. He is further survived by two great-grandchildren, Barrett Brown and Rowan Brown, children of Reagan Brown; three step-granddaughters, Anna, Libby, and Phoebe Mosley; and his brothers, Fred Brown Jr. of Tucson, Arizona, and Paul Brown of Abilene, Texas, along with many cousins, nieces, and nephews throughout the country.

James was preceded in death by his father, Fred D. Brown of Haskell, Texas; his mother, Dorothy Brown of Haskell, Texas; and his brothers, Rodney Brown of Austin, Texas, and George Brown of Haskell, Texas.

A service celebrating the life of James Robert Brown will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Sunday, June 28, 2026, at First Baptist Church in Haskell, Texas, with Bro. Brian Hevrin Officicating. Burial will follow in Willow Cemetery, Haskell under the direction of Haskell Funeral Home, 2 Avenue D. Condolences may be made at. www.haskellfuneralhometx.com.