Department of Animal Science Mourns the Passing of Dr. A. Hayden Brown Jr.
June 03, 2014
The University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture department of animal science recently said goodbye to a longtime member of the faculty. Avert Hayden Brown Jr., 67, of Fayetteville, died May 26, 2014, in Washington Regional Medical Center in Fayetteville following a short illness.
He was born Oct. 13, 1946, in Cookeville, Tenn., to Imogene "Jean" Flatt Brown of Cookeville and the late Avert Hayden Brown Sr. He grew up on a farm run by his Ma and Pa Flatt (Carlie B. and Vella Rogers Flatt). He graduated from Cookeville High School in 1964 and from Tennessee Tech University in 1968 with a bachelor’s degree in animal science and began working for the Cooperative Extension Service, University of Tennessee, as an assistant extension agent in Jamestown, Tenn., from 1968-74. He earned M.S. (1974) and Ph.D. (1976) degrees in animal breeding and genetics from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. He and his wife, Helen, married on Sept. 9, 1977, and moved to Fayetteville. He worked at the University of Arkansas, starting in 1977, serving as an assistant, associate, and full professor in the department of animal science.
He was preceded in death by his father, maternal grandparents above paternal grandparents, Charlie and Willie Brown; and nephew, Justin David Brown. Survivors in addition to his mother, include his wife of 36 years, Helen Gann Brown; daughter, Ashley Elizabeth Brown of Fayetteville; two sisters, Connie (Flave) McBride of Sparta, and Mena (Eugene) Williams of Baxter; brother, David A. (Angela) Brown of Cookeville; nephews, Mark Brown McBride, Tyler Brown, Clay Brady, and Livie Whittaker; and nieces, Sonya Bowman, Dava Whittaker, Hannah Bowman, and Madison Brown; and several aunts and uncles.
Funeral services for Brown were held May 29 in the Cookeville Chapel of Hooper-Huddleston & Horner Funeral Home with Brother Mark Loftis officiating. Interment followed in Crest Lawn Cemetery. Honorary pallbearers were Buddy Chaffin, Flaveous McBride, Eugene Williams, Burley Cannon, John Whitehead, Sam Winfree, and Judy Turner Jones. Active pallbearers were David Brown, Mark McBride, Tyler Brown, Greg Bowman, Clay Brady, and Bub Stockton.
A celebration of his life was held in Fayetteville on June 1 at the Pauline Whitaker Animal Science Center, University of Arkansas. Memorials may be sent to the Scholarship Fund, Department of Animal Science, University of Arkansas, 1120 W. Maple St., AFLS B114, Fayetteville, AR 72701.