Dates
On December 1, 2024, Harold White Brothers, of San Angelo, Texas, passed from this life into eternal life at the age of 89.999. Harold Brothers was born at home in Nashville, Tennessee, to Clifford and Martha King Brothers on December 2, 1934, joining his older brother, Clifford Prater, and older sister, Charlotte Ann.
Harold started school at Joe Wheeler Elementary School in Decatur, Alabama. The family then moved to Christiana, Tennessee, onto a 110 acre farm sold to them by “Big Dad” and “Big Mamma” Brothers (Harold’s grandparents). There they farmed and hand-milked over 20 cows several times a day. Harold told his kids many stories of their mules, Jack and John, the latter of which had his ear bitten by Clifford Sr., while being ornery. This seemed to make a real impression on Harold - but did not seem to dissuade him from being ornery himself at times. In his senior year, in 1953, Harold moved with his family to Pecos, Texas, where he graduated from Pecos High School.
Harold attended Abilene Christian College. His children enjoyed hearing the stories of his adventures while at ACC. For example, he met his first wife, Shirley McCullough, while stopped at a red light in Abilene. Harold’s friend was driving the car he was in and challenged her to a race. Shirley revved the engine of her car in acceptance, and the light changed. The young men, thinking they had the girls beat, realized Shirley had actually just turned off at a place to eat. The boys, of course, circled back and went inside to meet them. Harold and Shirley married on August 7, 1955, in Hereford, Texas.
Harold received his business degree from West Texas State in Canyon, Texas. He had multiple jobs during his schooling including working at a photography studio and working at the Department of Public Safety where he was employed as a dispatch operator.
Three weeks into his senior year of college, he received word that Uncle Sam needed him, so he reported to Fort Bliss. During his service, he and his platoon found themselves on the tarmac ready to deploy to Cuba during the Cuban Missile Crisis. As a Staff Sergeant in charge of personnel, he’d already prepared the paperwork for his own replacement. Yet he was ready to make this sacrifice without a weapon. As a conscientious objector, due to his Christian beliefs, he was willing to die - but not kill. At the very last moment, they were ordered to stand down.
While next stationed at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, Texas, Cherise Rayne’ (Brothers) Basye, was born.
Following his years in the military, Harold went to Southwestern Oklahoma State University where he attended pharmacy school. He also taught chemistry labs during that time. Harold received his pharmacy degree from Southwestern Oklahoma State Pharmacy School in Weatherford, Oklahoma, in 1966. While a student in pharmacy school, Harold worked with college students at the church where he and Shirley attended, and he also preached at Colony Church of Christ at the request of one of his professors. Harold received the Lundsford Richardson Pharmacy Award, and he was elected president of his APHA Student Chapter.
It was during this time that Steven Harold Brothers was born. After graduation from pharmacy school, Harold and his family moved to Littlefield, Texas, where he worked at Britton’s pharmacy.
The family then moved to Dumas, Texas, in 1967 where Harold bought M&M Pharmacy and Gift Shop, with Tom Armstrong, his brother-in-law, who married Shirley’s sister, Mary Lou. The family attended 1st Street Church of Christ, where Harold was a deacon and taught Bible class. Harold was very active in the community where he served as President of the School Board for Dumas Independent School District. He also was a member of the Kiwanis Club.
During those years in Dumas, Harold and Shirley were blessed through adoption with another son in 1969, William Todd Brothers, and daughter, Yvonne Michelle (Brothers) Long in 1970.
After Shirley’s passing in 1977, Harold met Karen (Ratliff) Grundy through mutual friends. He drove to Amarillo several nights a week as they got to know each other. Karen had two children of her own, Phillip Brant Grundy, and Elisa Lynn Grundy. The two families met in the spring of 1979 eating at Pizza Planet. Karen would talk about how children kept filing out of the car, one by one by one by one. It was quite a sight. Then on July 14, 1979, Harold and Karen were married. Together they became known as The Brothers Bunch.
In December of 1980, the Brothers Bunch moved to San Angelo, where Harold bought Angelus Pharmacy and worked there until he sold it to go to work for Shannon Hospital. He worked relief work for Shannon until just a few years ago.
The Brothers’ family worshipped at Johnson Street Church of Christ. Harold served as a deacon and then an elder for many years. Harold was extremely involved with the benevolence ministry and taking care of others. In the summer of 1995, he drove a bus on a youth mission trip to Atlanta, to help those who were disadvantaged. That trip prompted the beginnings of the COW (closet on wheels) which evolved into Rust Street Ministries - a ministry that provides food, clothing, household items and furniture to those that need assistance.
Harold loved singing and he loved Southern Gospel Music. For 37 years, he traveled the country singing with the Embers Quartet. They had opportunities to sing with the Blackwood Brothers, the Cathedrals and the Kingsmen. One of their most special moments was singing, “Amazing Grace”, with BJ Thomas.
While living in San Angelo, the Brothers Bunch was honored in 1985 with the San Angelo Family of the Year Award.
Harold didn’t always have a lot of time for his own hobbies with all his kids’ activities, but he enjoyed restoring antiques, clocks, watches, furniture and - almost - an MG. He loved traveling with Mama B and family - especially traveling down the Mississippi River on the Mississippi Queen Paddleboat. He would sit out on the boat deck after everyone went to bed and think about the adventures of Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn.
Faith, family, and friends were the hallmark of Harold Brothers’ life. His faith was the cornerstone of the way he treated his family and his friends, and if he ever met you, you knew that you were his friend. He loved lighthouses and often spoke about the importance of a lighthouse - shining light in darkness. He wanted his life to do the same.
Harold was preceded in death by his parents, Clifford and Martha Brothers, his brother, Clifford Brothers, his sister, Charlotte (Brothers) Wiser, and Shirley (McCullough) Brothers.
He is survived by his wife, Karen Brothers of San Angelo, three sons, Steve Brothers of Austin: Todd Brothers of San Angelo; and Brant Grundy and his wife Jana of Houston; Three daughters, Cherise (Brothers) Basye and her husband, Tom Basye of Lubbock; Michelle (Brothers) Long and her husband, Cory Long of Lubbock; and Elisa (Grundy) Griffith and her husband, Mike Griffith of San Angelo; 11 grandchildren; Austin Basye, Jatawn Mahan, Danae Jackson, Lexa Long, Luke Glover, Quinn Brothers, Colebin Griffith, Caden Griffith, Jesse Brothers, Canon Griffith, and Alex Grundy. And 8 great-grandchildren; Asher, Eaven, Arnhem, Shirley, Kenna, Elsie, Emily, and Owen. There are numerous nieces and nephews.
There will be a family visitation on Sunday, December 8, 2024, from 3 p.m.- 5 p.m. at Harper Funeral Home in San Angelo. The memorial service will be held at Johnson St Church of Christ in San Angelo, Texas, on Monday, December 9, 2024, at 10 a.m. and burial will follow at Lawnhaven Cemetery at 4989 RM-1223, San Angelo, Texas.
Pallbearers:
Steve Brothers
Todd Brothers
Brant Grundy
Tom Basye
Cory Long
Mike Griffith
David Hettick
Monte Mahon
Robert Talley
Honorary Pallbearers:
James Crowder and Harold’s grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorials for Harold Brothers be made to Rust Street Ministries, 803 Rust Street, San Angelo, TX 76903, ph. 325.486.1004 - or via the donate button at the top right of their website:
http://ruststreetministries.org/