Brigadier General (Retired) Ralph Brown

SHREVEPORT, LA - Brigadier General (Ret.) Ralph Henry Brown, died during the early morning hours of May 9, 2017 at the age of 88, due to heart complications. Visitation will be at Rose-Neath Funeral Home, 1815 Marshall Street, Shreveport, LA Sunday, May 14, 2017, from 1:00 p.m. until 3:00 p.m. A Memorial Service will be held Monday, May 15, 2017, at 10:00 a.m. at Rose-Neath Funeral Home Chapel. Retired Col. State Chaplain, Jim Comer and Reverend Philip F. Michiels will be officiating. Interment will be at 2:00 p.m. at Northwest Louisiana Veterans Cemetery, Keithville, LA 71047 with full military honors. Throughout his life, General Brown had a supportive and loving family who always "looked up" to him. Ralph was preceded in death by his father, William George Brown, his mother, Ann Stanton Brown, and his sisters, Margaret Hagan Devilbiss and husband, James A Hagan; Frances Miller and husband, Bill. He is survived by his loving wife of 65 years, Jean Turner Brown, who stayed at his bedside during his last days; son, Steven W. Brown and his former wives, Ann Holtzclaw; Suzanne Cummings; daughter, Gail Brown Pool and husband Roger of The Woodlands, TX; his grandchildren, Stacey Morse and husband Russell of The Woodlands, TX, Brittany Lindsay and husband Alex of Minneapolis, MN, Tiffany Martin of Shreveport, LA, Justin Brown and wife Kelly of Dallas, TX, Will Brown of Phoenix, AZ, Byron Brown and wife Kasey of Yukon, OK, Mollie Brown and fiancé Jamie Rollins of Shreveport, LA; as well as four great-grandchildren, Addison and Ashton Martin of Shreveport, LA, and Isabelle and Brooks Brown of Dallas, TX; and his sister, Sherrie Ann "Shá" Ryan of Shreveport, LA and brother-in-law, Charles Devilbiss of Shreveport, LA. Ralph Henry Brown was born April 26, 1929, and raised in Shreveport, LA. He attended Barrett Street Elementary and C.E. Byrd High School, graduating in 1946. Ralph began his post-secondary education at Centenary College of Louisiana, Shreveport, LA in the 1950's, eventually earning a Bachelor of Science Degree from New York State University in Geology. He obtained his engineering license in 1981 after sitting for and passing the Professional Engineering Exam in Civil Engineering. Ralph Brown began his engineering career about 1950 with E.M. Freeman and Associates Consulting Engineers and worked there until about 1960. The Shreveport Regional Airport and the Structural Engineering for the Louisiana Governor's Mansion were two of the projects that were completed during his employment. From 1960 to 1968 Ralph joined J.S. Boyd and Associates Consulting Engineers as an owner of the firm that specialized in water, wastewater, and subdivision design. The company had offices in Shreveport and Slidell, LA. In 1968 BaLaR Associates Consulting Engineers were created. BaLaR is an acronym for Brown and Lemoine and Roach. Ralph and Mr. Roach remained partners for 33 years. The firm specialized in water, wastewater, and roadway design, eventually becoming the pre-eminent design firm in the North Louisiana in those fields. The firm continues today with Ralph's nephew, Jim Hagan, as its' President. In association with BaLaR, Ralph Brown, Mr. Roach and an architect formed A/E Design Group in 1986; the group was primarily an architectural firm. Its projects included the $60 Million Dollar Century Link Arena in Bossier City, LA, the $25 Million Dollar Grambling State University Arena in Ruston, LA, and a $100 Million Dollar expansion of the Coushatta Tribe's Casino in Kinder, LA. Other miscellaneous projects in Ralph's career included single family housing, All Star Bowling Lanes, Old Oakes Golf Course and Villa Norte Apartments. Ralph's interest in sports projects began long before construction was ever thought about. He loved all sports and was a long time bowler carrying a 180+ average for many years. Additionally, he was the president of the Northwest Louisiana Bowling Association in 1969. Ralph was also a long-time golfer who collaborated with professional golfer Hal Sutton on the design and construction of Old Oaks Golf Course. Ralph was also a member of Southern Trace Country Club. In addition to his bowling and golfing activities, Ralph was a Boy Scout, he coached his son in SPAR leagues, he loved camping and skiing with his family in Arkansas, and he enjoyed volunteering to sell Christmas trees for the Optimist Club. He also was an owner and pilot of a Cessna 172, which he flew for business and pleasure and he was proud to have earned his instrument rating. Civilian Ralph H. Brown enlisted in the Louisiana National Guard at Fort Humbug in Shreveport, LA in 1950 at the age of 21. He served as an enlisted infantryman for five years and continued to rise through the ranks of Sergeant, Lieutenant, Captain, and Major. In 1973 he transferred from Infantry Branch to Engineer Branch and in August of 1973 he was assigned as the Commander of the newly organized 527^th Engineer Battalion in Bossier City, LA. Ralph was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel and after successfully commanding the 527^th; he was assigned as the Executive Officer of the 225^th Engineer Group. In 1979 he assumed command of the 225^th Engineer Group and was promoted to Colonel. He remained there until 1983 until he was assigned as the Deputy Commander of State Area Command known as STARC, and was as a result, promoted to Brigadier General. In 1987, he was assigned as the assistant Adjutant General under General A.M. (Buddy) Stroud and remained in that position until he retired at Jackson Barracks in New Orleans, LA in December 1988. Ralph ended his distinguished career with a total of 38 years of military service. Serving as honorary pallbearers will be Col. (Ret.) Paul Alford, Charles Devilbiss, Brigadier General (Ret.) Ed Giering, Jimmy Hagan, Col. (Ret.) Randy Hilburn, Bobby Lance, Brigadier General (Ret.) Charles Lindsey, Col. (Ret.) Roy Nomey, Sr., Gus Mijalis, Dave Sandifer, Bruce Shear, Lt. Col. (Ret.)Jesse St. Amant, Jr., Sam Tully, Robert Turner, Col. (Ret.) Walter Weaver, Bobby Joe Wilson, "Whip" Wilson, and the Monday Card Group. The family suggests memorials may be made to The Jackson Barracks Military Museum, Area C 4209 Chenault Blvd., Jackson Barracks, New Orleans, LA 70117, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Pl., Memphis, TN 38105, or to the charity of the donor's choice. Brigadier General Ralph H. Brown was an accomplished engineer and soldier who truly loved his country.