Bonham, Texas -- Thomas Ray “Tommy” Brown of Bartley Woods, Texas, passed away peacefully at home on November 21, 2025. He was born on June 8, 1946, in Sherman, Texas, to Hoyt and Lucille Masters Brown, the youngest of seven siblings.
To the many who knew and loved him, Tommy answered to many names, but none brought him greater joy than Husband, Daddy, and—above all—PawPaw. Family was the heart of his life.
Tommy was married for 59 cherished years to his devoted wife, Marilyn Gail Hartwell Brown. Together they built a rich life in Bartley Woods, raising three children, horses, cattle, and working dogs on their land.
In his younger years, Tommy delighted in coon hunting, horse racing, calf roping, relay races, coaching Little League, and leading trail rides behind his faithful teams of mules and horses pulling the family wagon.
As the years passed, his greatest pleasures also included team roping alongside his sons and grandsons, hog hunting, play days, meticulously restoring his wagon for long, leisurely rides with the entire family, raising cattle, and crafting beautiful leatherwork for those he loved.

He is lovingly remembered and forever missed by; His wife, Gail Brown; His children: Johnny Brown and girlfriend Susan, Heath Brown and wife Debbie, Cindy Plata and husband Auggie; His brother, Forrest “Sonny” Brown. As well as nine grandchildren and sixteen great-grandchildren, with three more great-grandchildren expected soon.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his siblings Bettye Jo, Bobby Faye, Catherine Winnona, Evelyn Louise, and Johnny Mack; and his beloved grandson, Burton Thomas “BT” Brown.
Pallbearers will be: Zach Pearson, Brandon Brown, Koby Ivy, Rawdy Brown, Xavier Plata, and Ty Brown.
Honorary pallbearers will be: Johnny Brown, Heath Brown, Auggie Plata, Jeremiah Welch, Kolten Cooper, Nathan Plata, Hayden Moore, Jasper Moore, and River Cooper.
Visitation will be held at 1:00 p.m. on November 28, 2025 at Cooper-Sorrells Funeral Home, 2202 N. Center St., Bonham, Texas 75418, followed immediately by the funeral service at 2:00 p.m. Burial will follow at Arledge Ridge Cemetery.
Flowers may be sent directly to the funeral home.
Our family finds comfort knowing Tommy is now riding the trails of heaven with his mules, horses, and his precious grandson BT by his side.
To leave an online condolence or share a memory please visit, www.coopersorrells.com


