William Raymond Brown

William Raymond Brown, the man known throughout southern Oklahoma and parts of north Texas as one of the most knowledgeable and honest cattlemen to ever hear an auctioneer’s chant, passed away on Dec. 22, 2023. Raymond was always looking for a good deal but he never found a better deal than when he took Jo Ann Bowles as his wife and partner 70-plus years ago. Together they owned and operated livestock auction barns in Ringling, Grandfield, Marlow, and Comanche for more than 50 years.

In addition, Raymond and Jo Ann also operated restaurants and an electric shop during their seven decades of entrepreneurship. Through many good times, but also through periods of drought, low prices, scorching heat, poor cash flow and frozen water troughs, they taught us all how important it is to treat people fairly, to give second chances, to never give up, and to love and take care of family.

Raymond was born to Samuel Raymond and Vida Irene Tidwell Brown near the Empire community and except for a short period in California, spent his life in the local area. He attended Comanche Public Schools and worked as an electrician for Sun Oil for a short period before opening-up an electrical business in Comanche. During these early years, Raymond and Jo Ann partnered with his mom and dad to operate the Chief Café in downtown Comanche. Deals were made, games were replayed, careers were started and most importantly, friends met every day. However, the days as an electrician were not nearly as satisfying as dealing with cattle so he abandoned the electrician trade and embarked on a life of weekly livestock markets, buying, and selling cattle for both local and out of state producers, plus owning tens of thousands of cattle of his own. Over the years, Raymond and Jo Ann also found time to operate a car wash, meat market, and restaurant in Ringling along with Margaret and Bob Perkins. 

Through all of this, he made many friends over a wide area but was always nearby when the local youth livestock organizations needed support. He was a man of few, but well-chosen, words and instead of telling us how to live with honesty and integrity, he showed us. Even in his latter days, Raymond entertained family and visitors with stories of cattle buying trips and adventures. Each tale included great details of names, places, numbers of head and weights.

If you ever went to school at Comanche, Empire, Central, Ringling, Grandfield, or other surrounding schools in southern Oklahoma, there is a good chance you may have worked for Raymond and Jo Ann on sale day or at a minimum, benefitted from their generosity to FFA groups or youth livestock shows and auctions. Raymond was never big on seeking recognition for himself but he has been honored by several FFA organizations and has served as a member and officer for various livestock marketing business groups.

Raymond was proceeded in death by his father, S.R. “Sam” Brown, his mother, Vida, and his brother, John Weldon Brown. He is survived by his wife, Jo Ann of Comanche; son, Joel and his wife, Peggy, of Las Cruces, New Mexico; son Kenny, and wife Dana, of Georgetown, Texas; and daughter, Jan and her husband, Jim Dobrowolski, of York, Pennsylvania. Raymond and Jo Ann have three grandchildren and eight great grandchildren.

The family invites the public to join them for a graveside service at the Fairlawn Cemetery on Wednesday, Dec. 27, 2023 at 2 p.m. under the direction of Comanche Funeral Home. If you knew Raymond, you know he was not a big fan of flowers. Flowers are welcome or you can donate in his honor to:

Why not Bless at www.whynotbless.com or Chislom Trail Hospice at www.duncanregional.com.