A funeral service for Fred Brown, 80, of Cleburne, will be held at 10:00 AM on Thursday, October 22, 2026, in the Crosier-Pearson Cleburne Funeral Home Chapel, located at 512 N. Ridgeway Dr., Cleburne, TX 76033, with George Williams officiating. Interment will follow in the Rio Vista Cemetery, Rio Vista with *Brantley Neal, Eric Fairfax, Jonathan Bunnell, Keith Sparkman, Alex Garay, and Mike Kerns serving as pallbearers and Cody Raleigh serving as the honorary pallbearer. There will be a time of visitation for family and friends from 6:00-8:00 PM at the funeral home on Wednesday, October 21, 2026.

Frederick Cecil Brown passed away peacefully on Tuesday, October 13, 2026 in Cleburne, Texas. He was born November 23, 1945 in Kansas City, Missouri to Cecil F. Brown and Viola Brown. Fred married Ella Ruth Williams on June 4, 1983 in Cleburne, Texas.

Fred served his country with pride and dedication in the U.S. Army for three years, from June 1964 to June 1967, including a year in Korea from 1965 to 1966. He also spent two years as a U.S. merchant seaman in the Gulf of Mexico. He was incredibly proud of his military service and of the opportunity to serve his country in these roles.

That spirit of service continued throughout his career. Fred spent the final 25 years of his career as a Texas law enforcement officer, a role that reflected his commitment to duty and to the people around him. He was also a member of the American Legion in Cleburne, Texas, and served as past master of Nolan River Lodge No. 453, both of which were meaningful accomplishments in a life marked by dedication and pride.

Fred embraced life with energy, curiosity, and joy. He loved sports and ran many marathons. He worked with the Golden Gloves for a year and attended many Golden Gloves matches. He loved reading and reciting poems to his grandchildren, watching movies, and enjoying barbecue from all over. He also had a knack for surprising those around him with his juggling skills.

He was well educated and deeply interested in history, often stopping at historical markers along his travels. His adventurous spirit carried him on a backpacking journey from Alaska to Texas. Among his happiest times were those spent with his family, especially his grandchildren, whom he loved dearly. He treasured watching them grow and taking them on road trips to the mountains, Colorado, New Mexico, Galveston, and the Gulf of Texas. He delighted in dropping them off at Woodman Camp and taking them to the Shrine Circus, the Fort Worth Zoo, Fossil Rim, state parks, and museums.

Above all, Fred loved his family and loved his life. Though his family grieves his passing, they also hold close the comfort of knowing that he is now at peace. His memory will continue to live on in the hearts of all who knew and loved him.

Fred is preceded in death by his parents; sons, Scott Brown and Edward Morris; brothers, Floyd Brown and Marshall Brown; and nephews, Robert Brown and William Brown.

Fred is survived by his wife, Ella Ruth Brown of Cleburne; daughters, Jeanie Kerns & husband, Mike Kerns (Cleburne) and Crystal Sparkman (Godley); son, Frederick M. Brown (Blue Springs, MO); sisters, Joyce Brown (Elizabeth City, NC) and Loretta Brown (Kansas City, MO); brother-in-law, George Williams & wife, Darlene (Jacksboro, TX); sisters-in-law, Nell Bailey (Van Alstyne, TX) and LeeAnna Brown (Lake Worth, TX); 11 grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren, one great-great granddaughter, many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.