Woodrow Orren Brownlee's Obituary
Woodrow Orren Brownlee – August 17, 1939 – May 16, 2019Woodrow Orren Brownlee was born in Dallas, Texas on August 17, 1939 to Woodrow Wilson Brownlee and Myrtice Dean Brownlee. He grew up in Dallas and graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School in 1957. He attended Texas Tech University where he became a proud lifelong Red Raider. At Tech, Woody pledged Phi Delta Theta and met the love of his life, Linda Alice Roberts. Linda and Woody married on December 30, 1960 in Denton, Texas. Woody graduated from Texas Tech University shortly after, in 1961. He earned his graduate degree from The Southwestern Graduate School of Banking at Southern Methodist University and a graduate certificate from The American Institute of Banking.Woody and Linda moved to Garland in 1961, where they became very active in the community and raised their children, Bo, Shelley, and Malinda. Woody started his banking career at Garland Bank and Trust. He was president of Century Bank, which eventually became part of Southwest Bank Shares. After retiring from the banking industry, Woody pursued his love of cooking and operated a catering company for a short time before launching a successful career in real estate.Woody earned his Brokers license in real estate and for 24 years, Woody enjoyed being a Realtor® for Ebby Halliday Realtors® and retired in 2018. He truly loved the real estate industry. It allowed him to combine his passion for helping people, assisting with the intricacies of the financial industry, and his servant heart assisting families to find their home. Woody was a mentor to so many in the real estate business and provided such wisdom and insight.Woody served in several leadership roles throughout the years. He was a member and President of the Garland Jaycee’s, the Garland City Council, Mayor Pro Tem for Garland, life member and President of the Garland Chamber of Commerce, served on the board of the Garland YMCA, and a member of the Home and Apartment Builders Association of Metropolitan Dallas. He was a lifelong member and served on the board of trustees of First United Methodist Church in Garland. He was an avid supporter of the Garland Summer Musicals and Garland Symphony. He loved playing golf and being at Cedar Creek lake with his family. One of his favorite things was playing gin rummy, and any kind of card game. But ultimately, his favorite thing in the world was to spend time with his family.He is preceded in death by his wife, Linda Roberts Brownlee, parents Woodrow W. and Myrtice D. Brownlee, his sister Elizabeth Brownlee Blackmon, his brother and husband Robert Dean Brownlee and William B. Jordan, and nephew Robert Todd Blackmon.He is survived by his son and wife Bo and Sherry Brownlee of Dallas, daughter Shelley Brownlee of Dallas, and daughter and husband Malinda and Keith Howell of Garland; his granddaughter and husband Evin and Alex Dunn and his grandson Brandon Brownlee; his brother Jimmy and wife Kathy Brownlee, his nephews and nieces; Lisa Blackmon Pool, Jeff and Carissa Brownlee, Amy Brownlee, Kevin and Amber Brownlee and many great nephews and great nieces.Services will be Friday, May 24th at 10:00 am at First United Methodist Church in Garland, 801 W Avenue B, Garland, TX 75040 with the reception to follow at the church. Donations may be sent in Woody’s Honor to: First United Methodist Church Building Fund 801 W. Avenue B Garland, TX 75040Funeral arrangements for Mr. Woodrow Orren Brownlee have been faithfully entrusted to Restland Funeral Home and Cemetery, which is located at 13005 Greenville Ave., at the intersection of Restland Road, Dallas, Texas 75243, and can be reached at (972) 238-7111.
What’s your fondest memory of Woodrow?
What’s a lesson you learned from Woodrow?
Share a story where Woodrow's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Woodrow you’ll never forget.
How did Woodrow make you smile?