Johnnie Dawson Brown

Funeral services for Johnnie Dawson Brown will be held 2:00PM, Monday, April 4, 2022, at the Hale’s Memorial Chapel in Sulphur, with Pastor Willard McCartney, Jr officiating. Interment, with full military honors from the United States Navy, will follow at the Drake Cemetery, south of Sulphur.

Johnnie was born March 4, 1943, in Orange County, CA, to Doss and Imogene (Davis) Brown. He died on Tuesday, March 29, 2022, in Ardmore, at the age of 79 years and 25 days. Johnnie and the former Ms. Janice Lee Nickel were united in marriage on June 1, 1964, in California. She preceded him in death on December 25, 2008.

Johnnie grew up in Orange County, CA, where he and Janice met. He joined the United States Army and later the United States Navy, retiring from the Navy after 25 years of dedicated service to our country. During his time with the Navy, Johnnie served in the Vietnam Conflict and the Persian Gulf war. After retiring from the military, he worked as a correctional officer for the Oklahoma Department of Corrections, retiring in 2014.

Johnnie spent many years raising and training racehorses. He was an avid fan of football, with the University of Southern California being his most favorite team. In his spare time, he cherished spending time with his beloved family, watching movies, and listening to music.

Survivors include one son, John Ruark of Sulphur; seven grandchildren, Jason Tunstall, Jaime Brown, Amber Sullivan, Matthew Stephens, Ayliar Brown, Derrek Ruark, and Chris Ruark; three sisters, Wanda “Bunny” Brown, Robin White, and Marsha Smith; six brothers, Gary Brown, Michael Brown, Terry Brown, Wayne Brown, David Brown, and Billy Hickman; numerous great-grandchildren and great-great grandchildren; as well as a host of nieces and nephews.

In addition to his wife, Johnnie was preceded in death by his father, Doss Brown; mother, Imogene Hickman; daughter, Deborah K. Stephens; and one brother, Jimmy Brown.