Donald Orie Brown, 79, formerly of Belle Plaine, IA passed away, Thursday, November 29, 2018, in South Carolina.
Services are 11:00 a.m. Saturday, December 8, 2018 at Hrabak-Neuhaus Funeral Service in Belle Plaine with Pastor Tom Petersen officiating. Burial will take place at Oak Hill Cemetery, Belle Plaine with military honors.

Visitation is 9-11 a.m. Saturday at the funeral home. Memorials may be made in Don's name to the Belle Plaine Ambulance Service. Online condolences can be sent to the family at www.hrabakfuneralhome.com .

Donald was born in Belle Plaine, IA, on August 12, 1939, the son of Orie and Emma (Hernik) Brown. He graduated from Belle Plaine High School, the class of 1957. Following high school, he joined the United States Army. While in the Army he was stationed  North of Fairbanks, Alaska during the Cuban Missile Crisis. During his time in the service he met Julie Arden Johnson; they were married June 5, 1965 at Christ United Methodist Church, Belle Plaine. The couple began their life together, living in Belle Plaine where Don worked as a Police officer and security guard. Don also worked for Dutch Ehlen who taught him the plumbing industry. In 1972, Donald and Julie moved their family to North Carolina to be close to other family. While living in North Carolina Don was a self-employed plumber. He owned and operated, with his wife, a small country store all before becoming a journeyman electrician. 1986, Donald and Julie moved back to Belle Plaine, IA where Don continued working as an electrician, working on the road as an outage worker at several Nuclear Power Plants. Don was employed by Day Zimmerman. On his time off he would often be found serving the community by driving for the Belle Plaine Ambulance Service or working on numerous at home projects. Some of his favorite projects were his Christmas creations. In 2016, Don and Julie moved to Seneca, South Carolina to be close to her family.

Don enjoyed hunting, fishing, and tractor pulling. He was a member of Belle Plaine American Legion post #39, and a 61-year member of the Odd Fellows.

He is survived by his wife, Julie (Married 53 ½ years); three sons; Robert W. Brown (Valarie), David Brown (Carlene), and Mike Brown (Stacey); daughter, Mary Brown; two brothers; Kenny Brown and Bob Brown; sister, Linda Kratoska; eight grandchildren and eight step-grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

Donald was preceded in death by his parents.