OSCAR "Big O" BROWN Jr.

Oscar “Big O” Brown Jr. 

August 29, 1944 – May 4, 2025

Oscar Brown, Jr., affectionately known as “Big O,” was born on August 29, 1944 (also celebrated March 23), in Hosston, Louisiana, to Oscar Brown, Sr., and Martha Dillard Brown. The third of eight children, he grew up in a close-knit family rooted in faith, hard work, and a deep love for the land.

From an early age, Oscar mastered the art of Southern cooking and home remedies. His mother taught her children to prepare incredible meals, and each Sunday, the brothers took turns cooking for the family. Their home was always open, welcoming friends to share in their gatherings. Next door, his grandparents taught the siblings to garden, cultivating fresh vegetables. Growing up on the McKinney family’s farm, Oscar tended cattle, hauled hay, and drove tractors—skills he used throughout his life. He cherished his lifelong friendship with the McKinney family.

After high school, Oscar left Louisiana with a one-way ticket to Dallas, with little more than determination and a willingness to work hard. While working at a construction site, he noticed another crew enjoying their work with laughter and music. Curious, he crossed the street and asked for the boss. That bold move led him to John Pass, who hired him on the spot, marking the beginning of a remarkable 60-year career and a lifelong bond with the Pass family. Oscar worked with John and JT in their construction business, landscaping apartment complexes and retail centers across Texas. Even at 18, he recognized an opportunity when he saw one and worked faithfully to provide for his family at home.

Oscar went on to manage several ranches, including the Broken Arrow Ranch in Glen Rose, where he helped JT pioneer the Chi-Angus breed. He spent treasured time there with JT’s older children Dax and Alex, with weekends of hunting, fishing, campfires, and gatherings with their friends, who all loved Big O! Dax and Oscar worked together for many years in the various businesses, and were best of friends.

When JT transitioned to Whataburger franchise ownership, Oscar moved too. Based out of Tulsa and Oklahoma City for Underpass, Inc, and later base out of Midland, for Whataco, Oscar landscaped the many restaurants across West Texas, Oklahoma, and New Mexico, making friendships with people from all walks of life along the way.

Oscar later moved to the Whitetail Valley Ranch in Sportsman’s World at Possum Kingdom Lake, where alongside the Renfro family helped JT with the cattle herd. Cattle sales and auctions were regularly held, and he hauled cattle around the country, as the company bought and sold livestock to fellow cattlemen in the Chi-Angus breed.

Out of that location, he helped guide hunting excursions, which included trophy deer, turkey, Aoudad, dove and/or quail. His legendary cooking transformed each hunt into a grand feast. His favorite fishing spots at the Turtle Hole and the Diamond C Ranch, and his friendship with Turtle Hole club members was wonderful, and brought him great joy. His ability to clean and fry fish, or cook game, was unmatched.

In 1998 the Pass family moved to Aledo, TX, and Oscar joined them, living on property, managing their cattle operation. His bond with Kristin and Kendall was very special, filled with shared meals, inside jokes, and their beloved daily trips to Sonic or Whataburger. Oscar spent most holidays with the family, as well as many birthday parties with Kristin and Kendall’s friends, who all considered Oscar as a kind of uncle to all of them. An avid sports fan and a master of telling a great story, he became friends with many people in Aledo, adding to his already long list of friends.

Oscar remained a loyal support to the Pass family, especially after JT’s passing in 2006. He continued working for them for nearly two more decades, tending to the property and offering steadfast help to Kristin, Kendall, and Carolyn. His friendships with Greg and Greg’s family held a very dear place in his heart, especially with the grandsons, whom Big O dearly loved.

Oscar’s love for family and friends remained a cornerstone of his life. His trips back to Louisiana were filled with precious moments spent with loved ones, especially his many nieces and nephews. He was a big man, with a big heart! "No doubt about it!"

Oscar is preceded in death by his father, Oscar Brown Sr.; his mother, Martha Dillard Brown; and his siblings Will Henry Brown (and wife Ruby Mae), James Brown (and wife Ruby Helen), Ella “Sugar Momma” Brown Thomas (and husband Edward), John Brown, Lillie “Pearl” Brown, and Bennie Brown.

He is survived by his brothers, Robert Brown and Donald Brown (and wife Hedwig), Ruby Lee Brown (wife of John Brown), and many nieces and nephews. He is also survived by his brother-in-law, Larry Tucker.

A special thank you to Larry Tucker, who for years managed Oscar’s medical appointments and drove him to each, and to Martin Stephens and Robert Price, who also helped Oscar get to wherever he needed to go. Many thanks to Busty, Chuck, and Tim for their friendship and generous support.

Memorial donations can be made to the charity of your choice.

• Visitation & Funeral Service – Friday, May 16, Visitation and Viewing from 11:00-12:00, followed by a funeral service at 12:00, Harper and Lucas Funeral Home, 1500 8th Ave, Fort Worth, TX.
• After Service Gathering – Fitzgerald Restaurant (use front door, or park in back and use “Fitz’s Hideout” door. Parking says reserved, but is open to anyone), 6115 Camp Bowie Blvd, Fort Worth, TX.
• Graveside Service – Sunday, May 18, at 2:00 at Paradise Cemetery, 6731 Hale School Road, Hosston, Louisiana.

I mean to tell ‘ya / Absolutely / Yes indeed / No doubt about it / On top of the game / Got it on a roll