fred33
07-06-2006, 02:34 AM
Devine resident Brown, 72, built an empire of car dealerships
Web Posted: 07/06/2006 12:00 AM CDT
Carmina Danini
Express-News Staff Writer
Robert B. "Bob" Brown, 72, a Devine resident who built a string of successful auto dealerships with nine franchises in South Texas, died of lung cancer at Methodist Hospital on Friday.
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Convinced his used car operation would benefit from a new car dealership, he opened Brown Chevrolet Company in Devine in 1966.
It was a risky endeavor. For one thing, the portion of Interstate 35 that passes through the Medina County town hadn't even been built.
But Brown's venture succeeded. In 1983, the dealership moved to larger quarters. A new, state-of-the-art facility was built in 2001.
Although he acquired other franchises — Cadillac and Chrysler among them — Brown remained a Chevrolet fan throughout his life.
"The last vehicle he drove was a Tahoe," said his eldest son, Robert Brown of Devine. "Once in awhile, he drove a Chrysler, but he drove his product. He wanted people to know he believed in his product."
Brown also operated dealerships in Del Rio and Eagle Pass.
From cars, Brown branched into banking. He and other investors started Devine State Bank. Chartered in 1987, it later became the Bank of Texas.
The community-based bank also has a San Antonio branch.
Brown was chairman of the board of directors.
Born on April 21, 1934, in Norfolk, Va., Brown enlisted in the Army when he was 16. He served in Korea.
Stationed at Fort Sam Houston awaiting his discharge, Brown met Ruth Marie Hernandez at a public swimming pool.
Married to Hernandez in 1954, he worked at his father-in-law's used car business before going out on his own.
Robert Brown said his father, a high school dropout, often thought of obtaining a General Educational Development diploma, but never did.
"He believed in the value of an education," the son said. "He never finished high school but he read a lot and he was one of the smartest men I ever knew."
A Spurs supporter since the team moved to San Antonio from Dallas, Brown became close to several of the players.
Tony Parker, his girlfriend, actress Eva Longoria; his father and two brothers visited Brown in the hospital.
Dallas Mavericks coach Avery Johnson, a former Spurs star, will speak at Brown's funeral.
Besides his son, Brown leaves his wife, Ruth, of 51 years; three other children, William Brown of Devine, Jeannette Brown Perez of Del Rio and Michael Brown of San Antonio; a sister, Marlene Brown Schermann of Peoria, Ariz.; 12 grandchildren; and four great-grandsons.
A memorial service will be held today at 2 p.m. in San Antonio's First Baptist Church at 515 McCullough Ave.
The funeral is set for 2 p.m. Friday at the First Baptist Church, 308 W. Hondo Ave., in Devine.
A graveside service will follow at Evergreen Cemetery in Devine.
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Web Posted: 07/06/2006 12:00 AM CDT
Carmina Danini
Express-News Staff Writer
Robert B. "Bob" Brown, 72, a Devine resident who built a string of successful auto dealerships with nine franchises in South Texas, died of lung cancer at Methodist Hospital on Friday.
advertisement
Convinced his used car operation would benefit from a new car dealership, he opened Brown Chevrolet Company in Devine in 1966.
It was a risky endeavor. For one thing, the portion of Interstate 35 that passes through the Medina County town hadn't even been built.
But Brown's venture succeeded. In 1983, the dealership moved to larger quarters. A new, state-of-the-art facility was built in 2001.
Although he acquired other franchises — Cadillac and Chrysler among them — Brown remained a Chevrolet fan throughout his life.
"The last vehicle he drove was a Tahoe," said his eldest son, Robert Brown of Devine. "Once in awhile, he drove a Chrysler, but he drove his product. He wanted people to know he believed in his product."
Brown also operated dealerships in Del Rio and Eagle Pass.
From cars, Brown branched into banking. He and other investors started Devine State Bank. Chartered in 1987, it later became the Bank of Texas.
The community-based bank also has a San Antonio branch.
Brown was chairman of the board of directors.
Born on April 21, 1934, in Norfolk, Va., Brown enlisted in the Army when he was 16. He served in Korea.
Stationed at Fort Sam Houston awaiting his discharge, Brown met Ruth Marie Hernandez at a public swimming pool.
Married to Hernandez in 1954, he worked at his father-in-law's used car business before going out on his own.
Robert Brown said his father, a high school dropout, often thought of obtaining a General Educational Development diploma, but never did.
"He believed in the value of an education," the son said. "He never finished high school but he read a lot and he was one of the smartest men I ever knew."
A Spurs supporter since the team moved to San Antonio from Dallas, Brown became close to several of the players.
Tony Parker, his girlfriend, actress Eva Longoria; his father and two brothers visited Brown in the hospital.
Dallas Mavericks coach Avery Johnson, a former Spurs star, will speak at Brown's funeral.
Besides his son, Brown leaves his wife, Ruth, of 51 years; three other children, William Brown of Devine, Jeannette Brown Perez of Del Rio and Michael Brown of San Antonio; a sister, Marlene Brown Schermann of Peoria, Ariz.; 12 grandchildren; and four great-grandsons.
A memorial service will be held today at 2 p.m. in San Antonio's First Baptist Church at 515 McCullough Ave.
The funeral is set for 2 p.m. Friday at the First Baptist Church, 308 W. Hondo Ave., in Devine.
A graveside service will follow at Evergreen Cemetery in Devine.
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[email protected]