Richard Brown

Richard Henry Brown of Arkadelphia, AR, went to be with his Lord Jesus on March 12, 2024, at his home. He was born on August 24, 1936, in Rye Arkansas to the late Lonnie Lee and Jessie Mae Teague Brown. On July 5, 1957, He married Alta Carter, his wife of sixty-six years. He is survived by his wife, two daughters, Melissa Walls of Bryant and Richelle Thomas of Sardis, three grandchildren, Lindsey Gregory Henley, and Bryce and Brantley Thomas, six great grandchildren, and a grand son-in-law, Zane Henley. Richard is preceded in death by his parents, one grandson, Jeremy Gregory, one son-in-law, Chris Thomas, and three sisters.

Richard was honorably discharged from the U.S. Army (101st Airborne and 39th Infantry) having attained the rank of Sergeant. He was a member of the American Legion. His higher education included diplomas, degrees, post graduate work and beyond in education, history, psychology, hypnosis, biology, and radiation science from Arkansas A&M College, George Peabody College, Vanderbilt University, The University of Tennessee Medical School and NASA Space Academy. He began his teaching career at Crossett High School. He then served as a professor of Biology at Ouachita Baptist University where he retired in 1998 as Professor Emeritus after teaching there for thirty-three years and where the Richard H. Brown Outstanding Biology Student Scholarship and the Richard H. Brown Shaped-Note Music Special Collection have been established in his honor.

While teaching at Ouachita, Richard also served as an Arkansas Visiting Scientist and was a consultant for and conducted research for the National Science Foundation, The U.S. Air Force Brook’s Aerospace Center, The U.S. Army Corp of Engineers, The U.S. Army Chemical and Biological Warfare Division, and NASA. He was also a retired Registered Hypnotherapist. His achievements have been recognized by, 101st Airborne (honor student), Who’s Who Among Students In American Colleges and Universities (twice), Alphi Chi Honor Society, Beta Beta Beta Biological Honor Society, Community Leaders of America, Who’s Who In The South and Southwest (twice), Personalities of The South (three times), International Dictionary of Biography, Outstanding Educators of America, International Who’s Who in Community Service (twice), Men of Achievement, Who’s Who in Frontier Science and Technology, Who’s Who Environmental Registry, and Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers. Richard was twice nominated as Outstanding High School Biology Teacher in Arkansas.

Richard was an ordained Southern Baptist Minister and served as pastor, interim pastor, evangelist, music director, and gospel vocalist in a number of Arkansas churches and performed gospel concerts from Texas to Maryland. He was a member of Third Street Baptist Church in Arkadelphia.

Richard was an artist whose paintings have been shown in a number of Arkansas galleries, and he was a widely acclaimed bladesmith whose knives are sought by both sportsmen and collectors. He was also a regionally known blacksmith. He was a charter member, officer and instrumental in the development of both the Arkansas Knifemakers Association and the Two-Rivers Blacksmithing Association. He was also a member for the Four States Iron-Munchers Association of Texarkana. A number of his blade smithing and Blacksmithing creations have been showcased in museum exhibits, Blade Magazine, newspapers, and on educational television.

Richard’s homegoing celebration service will be conducted by Bro Martin Jones on April 6, 2024, at 11AM at New Life Church in Arkadelphia. Please come and celebrate with family and friends. In lieu of flowers, please make a contribution to the Richard H. Brown Outstanding Biology Student Scholarship fund at Ouachita Baptist University, Arkadelphia AR 71923

Final arrangements are entrusted to The Welch Funeral Home in Arkadelphia. Visit www.welchfh.net to sign the guest book.