Melvin "Rabbit" Don Brown

Graveside services for Melvin "Rabbit" Brown, 75 of Tolar, NM will be held at 11:00 AM Wednesday, November 2, 2011 at Tolar Cemetery. Mary McClain will officiate, members of the Taiban and Valley Fire District will serve as pallbearers. Rabbit died Friday, October 28, 2011 at Clovis Healthcare and Rehab Center in Clovis, NM following an illness. He was born December 12, 1935 in Melrose, NM to the home of Jesse and Armel Pauline (Vaughan) Brown. He attended school at Melrose. Melvin married Gladys Donaghe in Farwell, TX in 1972. He worked as a heavy equipment operator including many years with K Barnett Construction, Valley Sand and Gravel and he also drove a truck for Furr's Food for several years. Rabbit was a longtime dedicated charter member of the Taiban Fire Department where he served as Fire Chief for several years. He donated the land where the Taiban Fire Station was built. Melvin enjoyed playing solitaire on his computer, loved to tinker and build things and spend time in his vegetable garden. He was preceded in death by his wife Gladys Brown on June 26, 2011; his parents; a brother Leslie Otis Brown and his step-father Moody "Bill" Mayhon. Survivors include a daughter Wanda Beamer of Virginia; two sons Donnie and wife Connie Brown of Ohio; Bill and wife Trina Brown of Pampa, TX; a step-son Scott Baxley of Lubbock, TX; four sisters Viola Marie Pickel of Clovis; Ethel Pricer of Durango, CO; Thelma McCarty of Reserve, NM; Helen Pate of Post, TX; two brothers Raymond Brown of Fort Sumner and his twin brother Marvin Brown of Altus, OK. Also surviving are 10 grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren along with numerous nieces, nephews other relatives and many friends. All arrangements are under the direction of Chavez Funeral Home, 830 N. Fifth Street; Fort Sumner, NM 88119. (575) 355-2311. To place an online tribute or sign the guest book please visit www.chavezfuneralhome.com