When Irby Don Brown Passed Away
By Bonita Wilborn
TENBROECK, ALA- On Wednesday, July 12, 2023, scouting lost a hero when Mr. Irby Don Brown, age 70, of the Tenbroeck Community in Fyffe, passed away.
Don Brown was a devoted Christian, Scoutmaster, and friend.
As most people do, Don wore many hats in his lifetime. Brother Don Brown was the Pastor of Old Flat Rock Baptist Church. The church was very supportive of his activities with the Boy Scouts and often hosted services honoring the scouts of the community. Throughout his adult years, Don Brown was a singer and was always ready to sing of his Savior’s love and the land he would go to when his time on earth was over.
As Scoutmaster of Tenbroeck Boy Scout Troop 96, located in the small community, Don Brown had the opportunity to mentor thousands of young men through the ministry of Scouting. Although Don had no children of his own, for many of the scouts he worked with, Don was the only father figure in their lives. Don gave of himself to ensure that all of the youths whose life he was a part of was impacted in a positive way.
Don Brown was a man guided by his maker [God] and was never afraid to tell you of his love for God. He wasn’t afraid to say “I love you” to those he came in contact with. He was soft-spoken, cheerful, and big-hearted.
Many commented that it was always a joy to be in his presence.
In March of 2023, Senator Steve Livingston traveled to Tenbroeck to present Don Brown with a resolution from the Alabama State Senate, recognizing him for 50 consecutive years as Scoutmaster of Tenbroeck Boy Scout Troop 96.
This was presented to Mr. Brown at a ceremony, where about 200 people, including eagle scouts, their families, and many friends and relatives, were in attendance.
While several troops have reached the 50-year mark for the troop, very few have reached the 50-year mark with the same Scoutmaster. During his 50-year tenure, Don Brown assisted 105 Scouts in attaining their Eagle status. Several of those Eagle Scouts were present at Mr. Brown’s ceremony.
Each one who spoke at the ceremony talked about things they learned in scouting and how it has helped them in their lives. Most mentioned that their Eagle Scout status was listed on their job applications and that it helped them get their jobs.
Brown stated, “I have had several hundred boys over the years. I’ve been trying to prepare them for the future. There have been lots of hard times, but more fun and learning times to help the scouts.”
Even though Don Brown reached the 50-year mark as Scoutmaster, in March, when asked if he was ready to hang it up, he said, “With the Good Lord’s help, I will be able to keep helping young men to have fun while learning at scout meetings and on camping trips. You never know how what you are doing might help someone.”
Although Don Brown wasn’t ready to “hang it up”, so far as being Scoutmaster of Tenbroeck Boy Scout Troop 96 was concerned, a short four months after reaching that 50-year milestone, health conditions made it impossible for him to continue any longer, and God called him home.