John David “J. D.” Brown, 73, of Lumberton, died Tuesday, January 19, 2010.

J. D. was born in Batson on November 28, 1936 and was a life long resident of Lumberton.  He served as Hardin County Commissioner of Precint 4 for sixteen years and was a construction contractor.  J. D. also served his country in the United States Air Force.

He is survived by his wife of twenty-three years, Clydia Smithson Brown of Lumberton;  sister, Dorothy Haymon and her husband Arthur of Natchitoches, Louisiana; children, David Brown and his wife Mary of Lumberton, Kathy Brown Gallier and her husband Randy of Beaumont, Pat Brown and his wife Amy of Lumberton and Robert Brown of Natchitoches, Louisiana; step-children, Shawn McCamey and his wife Maurine of Seattle, Washington, and April Becker and her husband Matt of Las Vegas; sister-in-law, Lynn Fields and her husband Arlon of Orange; brother-in-law, Fred Smithson and his wife Marilyn of Washington; thirteen grandchildren; six great grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews; and his faithful companion Mac, J.D.'s Golden Retriever.

J. D. is preceded in death by his parents, John and Bertie Brown; and sisters and brothers, Lois Smith, Gerald, Earl, Eunice, R. L., Glenn, J. B. Brown and Ellen Brown Davis; and the mother of his children, Doris Spruill Brown.

Funeral service will be 11:00 A.M. Friday, January 22, 2010 at Broussard’s, 490 Cemetery Road, Silsbee with burial to follow at Pine Ridge Cemetery, Hwy 421 in Sour Lake.  A gathering of family and friends will be Thursday, January 21, 2010, 5:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M. at the funeral home.