Harold Pharis Brown, Jr.

Harold Pharis "Bo" Brown, Jr., died Tuesday, May 21, 2024, at home surrounded by his beloved family. He was born December 30, 1940, in Snyder, TX, to Harold Pharis Brown, Sr. and Rubile (Bohannon) Brown. He married Virginia Verle (Lady) Falls on August 21,1964, in Austin, TX, and became the proud father of Susannah Lee Brown on October 14,1972. Bo grew up in Snyder, Texas, playing sports and working at the family farm near Hermleigh, TX. After graduating from Snyder High School, he attended Tarleton State College (1959-1961), where he was a member of the Army ROTC Corp of Cadets and the Wainwright Rifles Precision Drill Team which marched in President John F. Kennedy's Inauguration. He was also a member of TTP/TTS and the Purple Poo, spirit organizations. In Fall 1961, he transferred to Texas Tech (1961-1963). There he continued in ROTC, and he joined Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity. Completing his undergraduate studies, Bo attended law school at the University of Texas in Austin, TX, (1963-1966). His undergraduate and graduate studies prepared him for military service in the Adjutant General Branch of the Army. As a second lieutenant stationed in Atlanta, GA, at the Armed Forces Entrance and Examining Center, he helped process many inductees, including Stokely Carmichael and other dissidents. He completed his military service as Captain of the Armed Forces Entrance and Examining in Abilene, TX. In 1968, Tom Purdom, Lubbock County Attorney, hired Bo as Assistant County Attorney, a position he relished because he worked with law enforcement officers as well as prosecuted cases. In 1970, he joined the law firm of Evans, Pharr, Trout, and Jones, which in time became Jones, Flygare, Brown, and Wharton. His law practice from 1970-2006 included local, national, and international clients during a time of change, growth, and acquisition in the Lubbock area and West Texas. He negotiated the sale of Furr's groceries to German buyers and the Texas Instruments facility to Ex Fab. During this period, he also represented St. Mary's Hospital in acquiring area hospitals and Citizens Bank in Plainview and its branches in Slaton, Post, McLean, and Lubbock. In addition to his legal work, he served on the board of All Saints Episcopal School for which he was recognized for outstanding service from 1981-1983. One of Bo's most significant achievements was in immigration. His clients included farm workers from Mexico, nurses from the Philippines, and businesspeople from South Africa. Working with U. S.Rep. George Mahon and Seminole Mayor Bob Clark, he helped the Mennonites in Gaines County to achieve visas and ultimately citizenship. His efforts are cited by Tina Siemens in Seminole: Some People Never Give Up (2019). Bo was honored to be Rep. Mahon's aide in the district during his last Congressional campaign and attended Jimmy Carter's inauguration with his wife and daughter as the guests of Rep. and Mrs. Mahon. Influenced by his work in Seminole for peanut companies such as ADM, Southern Cotton Oil Company, Golden Peanuts and for the Mennonites, Bo purchased a section of land in Gaines County where he grew cotton and peanuts. Later, he became a partner in Coyote Lake Feedyard in Bailey County and active in the Texas Cattle Feeders Association, serving on various committees. His interest in cattle and ranching was not new, however, since his paternal great grandparents owned a ranch in Scurry County in the early 1900s, and his grandmother was one of the first schoolteachers in Garza County, educating children of ranchers in Justiceburg, TX. In 2000, looking to lease grass for grazing, he bought what is now VII-M Ranch in Garza County. He was named 2020 Outstanding Conservation Rancher for his stewardship and conservation of the soil, water, wildlife, and other natural resources. His farming and ranching operation expanded to include Tobosa Farm and Ranch near Muleshoe, TX. Because of his family background, he was one of the earliest participants in developing the Ranching Heritage Center in 1969, starting as a gofer at the first meeting to becoming President of the Ranching Heritage Association and serving on the Endowment Board. He was presented the Founders's Award in 2004 by the Ranching Heritage Association for his service. In semiarid West Texas, water is crucial, and Bo was recognized for outstanding service as Chairman of the Llano Estacado Region O Water Planning Group 2000-2015. During this period, he also served on the Water Advisory Commission for the city of Lubbock. In addition to working with T. Boone Pickens to acquire Roberts County water for Region O, he successfully negotiated with landowners in Garza, Lynn, and Lubbock counties rights-of-way for the pipeline bringing water from Lake Alan Henry to Lubbock, efforts for which he was recognized by the city for outstanding service from August 2006-August 2012. Bo was a member of St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Lubbock Downtown Rotary, Post Rotary, Post Rodeo Association, Sand Creek Ranch, and the Sons of the American Revolution (Abston). In summation, he was a counselor and a negotiator, who drove around West Texas talking to people, first on a bag phone, then a flip phone, and finally an iPhone. He was an historian and an archeologist who picked up every shard and point and kept them. He was a farmer and a rancher. And he was a river to his people. Bo is survived by his wife, Lady, his daughter, Susannah (Brown) Mercer, his son-in-law Clay William Mercer, his granddaughter, Alexandra Kathleen Mercer, his grandson, William Brown Mercer, and dear friend Britt Pharris. He is also survived by his brother, David Paul Brown; his sister-in-law, Dana (Falls) Mattingly, his brother-in-law, Arthur Mattingly, his niece, Catherine Mattingly, and Elizabeth (Mattingly) Kirzeder and family; and nephew Walter Thomas (Tres) Falls and niece Kelly Ann (Falls) Garcia and family A memorial service will be held at St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Thursday, June 13, at 2 p.m. In lieu of flowers the family suggests donations to the UMC Foundation, St. Paul's Episcopal Church, or an organization of your choice.

Harold Pharis Brown, Jr.

December 30, 1940 - May 21, 2024