Page 80 - Senior Link Magazine Spring 2024 - Online Magazine

Dell Brown A Career You Can
ell Brown (Mr. Brown,
to me and my siblings),
Deducated children and
mentored teachers as a teacher
and principal for over 38
years. On October 2, 2023, Dell
celebrated his 90th birthday
with family, former students,
colleagues, and friends. He is
still active and enjoys getting
out and connecting with people
whenever he can.
Nine decades ago, Dell was
born ten miles northwest of
Plainview in the community
of Running Water where his
dad, “Doc,” farmed and later
served as county commissioner.
Mother, Lillian, took care of the
family, including brothers Dick
80 Lubbock Senior Link
Bank On
by Ted Wilson
(killed in a tragic training for the 105 Howitzers
accident at 17), was no longer needed. As he
Tom, and sister was stepping on the train to go
Nancy Vaughn. to Korea to handle supplies, an
Dell attended first MP stopped him and said he
grade at Running wasn’t going to Korea, rather he
Water School near was being assigned to Holloman
the draw, walking AFB in Alamogordo, NM. Newly
the mile or so wed to Patricia, they settled in
daily. He and Holloman for two years. His
fellow first grader, wife worked as secretary for two
Fred Keesee, “secret” generals, who served as
passed a test at undercover bosses monitoring
the end of their activity on the base. Since Dell
term promoting had taken bookkeeping and
them to the third typing in high school, he was
grade, which sent assigned to oversee the payroll
Dell to the Hooper for the 600 personnel and
School south of maintenance and supply records.
Quarterway, 14 His superiors recommended Dell
miles west of for Officer Candidate School, but
Plainview as the he was ready to return to civilian
only third grader. life.
The family moved
to Halfway, where He readily admitted that he
Dell attended had not applied himself in high
fourth and school, but he was encouraged
fifth grades in Olton and sixth by the OCS recommendation, so
through twelfth at Plainview. he and Patricia enrolled at Texas
Tech, both eventually earning
After graduation, Dell tried master's degrees. Dell’s dad
several jobs, including working wanted him to become a banker,
on a seismograph crew, keeping but Dell decided to invest in
books at a gin, cutting steel, children.
ginning (for six weeks before After graduation, the Browns
breaking his arm), and rewinding headed west to Redding,
motors. Then came the draft California where he taught fifth
notice, but just a week before
he was to report, the rod in his and sixth grade children of folks
broken arm was removed. He who worked in the orchards,
told the Army that, since it would sawmills, or mines. He would
take six weeks before he would have as many as 44 children
be able to use his arm, they could in a classroom, but Mr. Brown
take him then or leave him. Much was good at it. He learned how
to his chagrin, they took him. to partner with the parents of
the children in their “mutual”
Halfway into basic training, a educations.
truce ended the Korean War. His