Stephen Brown

Stephen Calvin Brown of Sulphur Springs passed away on Sunday afternoon, August 30th, at Christus Trinity Mother Frances Hospital. He was 78 years old.

Mr. Brown was born October 28, 1941 in St. Louis, Missouri. His birth parents were Burt Maskill Jack, Jr. and Mary Elizabeth Johnson. His original name was Burt Maskill Jack III. He was adopted by his first stepfather, Calvin Leon Brown, in Colorado when he was nine. His family moved to San Antonio when he was a junior in high school. His mother married a third time, and his second stepfather was SGM Roger E. Johnson. He graduated from San Antonio Lee H.S. in 1960 and joined the Navy. After his four years of service, he attended the University of Maryland in Munich, Germany for two years. He then transferred to Sul Ross State College in Alpine, TX and graduated with a BS in social studies in 1968. He met his first wife, Phyllis K. Williams, at Sul Ross. They married in Knippa, TX on August 16, 1968. They were married for 44 years. The school where they first taught was in Rockport, TX. After two years they moved to Lubbock so that he could use the rest of his G.I. bill to attend Texas Tech. In 1971 he worked in construction for a year. Then he was hired as an elementary teacher with Lubbock ISD. Their son, Jason, was born in Lubbock in 1975. In 1976 they moved overseas to Dubai, United Arab Emirates and taught for four years. He finished his certification for principal level from Texas Tech during the summers. Their daughter, Jennifer, was born in 1979 in Dubai. They returned to Texas in 1980. They taught in Spur 1980-81, Van Horn 1981-82, and Rockport 1982-84. They then moved to Hopkins County. Both began teaching at Sulphur Bluff. Mr. Brown taught elementary classes and was also Elementary Principal starting in 1985. His final year was 1995. After retiring he did construction work on his home and for friends and substituted at the Dike Post Office for three years. The couple divorced in 2013, and Mr. Brown married again in 2014. His second wife died in 2019.

Mr. Brown lived in the Rock Creek Nursing and Rehabilitation Home in Sulphur Springs until his death.

He is survived by his two children and their spouses and granddaughter Mason and grandson Cameron. Jason lives in Sulphur Springs and Jennifer is in Tacoma, Washington.

Donations in his memory can be made to Sulphur Bluff School or the charity of your choice.

Murray-Orwosky is in charge of cremation.