LELAND DAVIS BROWN

Leland Davis Brown, 90, of Republic passed away on Monday, Jan. 20, 2025. He was born in Republic on Aug. 5, 1934; the son of Earl Sylvester Brown and Ruby Margaret Bowen Brown.
He graduated from Republic High School and pursued higher education with an associate degree from Southwest Baptist Junior College, a bachelor’s degree from Drury College, and a master’s degree from the University of Missouri.
While in school, he married Evelyn Sue Tyler on May 25, 1956, beginning a devoted partnership that spanned 68 years.
He had a standout career playing basketball for Republic and continued into college where he played at Southwest Missouri State, SBJC and Drury.
A dedicated educator and coach, he taught at Republic High School and led the boys’ basketball team to its first ever state championship victory in 1963, the only one until the school would win again 50 years later in 2013. The championship remains enshrined in the current high school and the memory of his team has been honored many times throughout Southwest Missouri and he is a member of the Republic Sports Hall of Fame. He retired from Springfield Public Schools in 1988 and embarked on a second career as a home builder. He also volunteered at  the Republic Historical Society and authored *Looking Back: A Memoir of Republic Sports*, donating all proceeds to the Society. He served at Grace Bible Church and Calvary Baptist Church throughout his life.
He is survived by his wife, Sue; sons, Steve (Cindy) and Mike (Margaret); three grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Ruby Mae Arnold and his brother, Alvin Earl Brown.
Visitation and services were held on Saturday, Jan. 25, at Calvary Baptist Church in Republic with burial in Evergreen Cemetery in Republic.
Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Meador’s Funeral Home in Republic.
 

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Lawrence County Record

312 S. Hickory St.
Mt. Vernon, MO, 65712
www.lawrencecountyrecord.com

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