Roll Call Tribute

Oswald David Robert Brown 

June 14, 1933 - February 13, 2025 

Oswald David Robert Brown, PhD was born in Glasgow, Scotland on June 14,1933. He was the only child of John Oswald Morrison Brown and Wilhelmina Ovens Brown. By his account, he was raised in a strict, but loving environment in Paisley, Scotland with several cousins as playmates.

Oswald moved to College Station, Texas in January, 1957, and received his BS, Masters, and a PhD in Agriculture and Life Sciences at Texas A&M University. There, he became friends with his fellow students. While most of them went home for summer and Christmas break, Oswald stayed at school, attended some classes when offered, and cared for the plants in the Department of Horticulture greenhouse. While at Texas A&M, Oswald became friends with fellow student, Robert Barry, Jr., his wife Karleen, and their four young boys. Oswald soon became an honorary member of the Barry family, and even baby sat the boys sometimes when Robert and Karleen went to church.

After earning his degrees, Oswald moved to Vero Beach, Florida, where he worked doing research for United Brands Horticulture. Oswald then took a job in California where he worked doing research on the microbial breakdown of rocket fuels. This information was used by NASA and the CIA. After his research was completed, Oswald moved to Carencro, LA and began teaching Horticulture at the University of Southwestern Louisiana in Lafayette, LA.

Oswald eventually made his way back to Texas A&M, where he taught as a Professor of Horticulture. He was able to bring his parents over from Scotland to live with him. Oswald’s mother passed away while in College Station, so he moved himself and his father to Grand Coteau, LA, where he joined Barry’s Wholesale Nursery as a working partner. During this time, Oswald joined a Mardi Gras crew, a Pokeno group, took dance lessons, and enjoyed dating.

After years in the Nursery, Oswald decided to get training in electronics, and started his own business, which was Scottish Electronics. He was introduced to a Russian lady who lived in Oklahoma, so he moved to Oklahoma to be near her. He took a job with the Oklahoma Highway Patrol Department of Public Safety. There he worked maintaining radios and electronics in their Department of Communications. The relationship eventually ended, and due to health reasons, Oswald moved back to Grand Coteau. He had many hobbies, and was very interested in sponge fossils, and stamp and coin collecting. He studied foreign languages, interpreted Egyptian hieroglyphics, and had an interest in Egyptian artifacts. He was a plant enthusiast, and had a special interest in cacti, which he collected.

Oswald had many good times and memories with his special friend, Sherry Menefee, who preceded him in death. Thanks to Christy Adams and Lisa Lipscomb for their friendship to Oswald over the years, and to his cousin Susan McClinton for keeping family ties with Oswald from Scotland. Oswald was a very intelligent man with a good work ethic. He was also good hearted, well meaning, sometimes grumpy, and sometimes funny. He was loved by his students, friends, and family.Oswald passed away peacefully at the age of 91, on February 13, 2025 with his good friends Robert and Sheila Barry at his side. We will miss him, but we have fond memories of Oswald to hold in our hearts. May The Lord give him rest and peace. We will see him again in Heaven.

Many thanks to the Nurses, CNA’s, Physical and Occupational Therapists, and staff of Lady of the Oaks Retirement Manor for the wonderful, loving care that you provided. Special thanks to Renee Guidry, who became a trusted friend to Oswald.

A memorial service and celebration of Oswald Brown’s life will be held at Brent’s Big Hill Café in Grand Coteau, LA on Saturday, March 22, 2025 at 11am. His ashes will be buried with his parents in College Station, Texas at a later date.

Melancon Funeral Home of Carencro, 4615 North University Avenue, is in charge of arrangements.