Darrel Franklin Brown

Darrel Franklin Brown, 83, of Great Falls, passed away on Wednesday, November 1, 2023.

A celebration of life will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Monday, November 13, 2023, at O’Connor Memorial Chapel. A private family burial will take place in Sentinel Butte, North Dakota at a later date.

Darrel was born on May 4, 1940, north of Sentinel Butte out on the family farm to William Franklin and Cora (Johnstone) Brown. He often liked to tell that he was born in the chicken coop. At some point it had been turned into an addition on the house.

He graduated high school in 1958 and enlisted in the US Air Force in 1960. He was stationed at Hill AFB, Utah outside of Ogden when he met his wife, Gladys. They were married in Reno, Nevada on June 6, 1964. She made all the moves with him during his military career. Their daughter, Arlene, was born in Ogden in 1965. Darrel was ordered to Vietnam from 1966-1967. Arlene was only one year old when he left and two years old when he returned. She was very standoffish with him when he returned home and removed his arm from around her mom when he tried to hug her. It didn’t take long for her to become “Daddy’s Little Girl.” Their son, David, was born at McClellan AFB in Sacramento, California in 1968. From there the family went to Texas and then Germany where they were stationed at Ramstein AFB for four years. After Germany, they returned to the states and were stationed at Malmstrom AFB until he retired. They have lived here for over 50 years.

Darrel enjoyed camping, 4-wheelers, snow mobiles, hunting, working around the house, scouting with the grandkids, and proud of his military service. He was a dedicated grandparent and spent hours and hours doing activities with the boys.

He is survived by his son, David; three grandsons, Darrel, Jason, and Travis Naillon; four great-grandchildren; two brothers; two sisters; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife, Gladys, of 59 years on July 10, 2023; their loving daughter, Arlene Marie Brown Naillon in 2007; and several brothers and sisters.