H. Gheral Brownlow |
| Posted 2008-03-30 by Judy Wight Branson |
| Daily Courier, Prescott, Arizona Wednesday, March 26, 2008 H. Gheral Brownlow was born Nov. 18, 1931, in Goodlet, Texas. Gheral lost his courageous battle with cancer and was called home by the Lord on 24 March 2008. He is predeceased by parents J.O. Brownlow and Lillian Gattis Brownlow, and his sister Darla Oberdank. He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Carol; his sister Doris Smith of Sun City; daughters Suzanne Fields (Bob) of Prescott Valley and Rebecca Petrus (Michael) of Glendale; and sons Jerry (Colleen) of Pinetop and Cris (Connie) of Avondale; 10 grandchildren, Kelley (Jim) Cabral, Bobby and Christopher Fields, Brian (Donna) Brownlow, Lisa (Devin) Schmitz, Jeffrey (Charisse), Jay and Bryce Brownlow, Rachel Petrus and Emily (Luis) Narvais; 13 great-grandchildren, Kristen, Brady, Cody and Alex Cabral, Julia Fields, Taylor Fields, Daylyn, Kyler and Layne Schmitz, Mayme Gage, Lindsay Brownlow, Luis M. Narvais; and soon-to-arrive great-grandson Gheral Brownlow; many nieces and nephews and many dear and close friends among his former classmates, constituents, Mothers & Others running group, other runners, the Yavapai Indian Tribe as well as his church family. Born and raised in Texas, Gheral came to Arizona in 1946. He graduated from North Phoenix High School in 1951 and attended Phoenix College. In 1952, he married the girl next door, Carol A. Kelley, and started his family in Phoenix. He began working for the Arizona Republic circulation department during high school and continued for 17 years, transferring to Prescott in 1954. He worked for the Prescott Evening Courier from 1965 until 1973, when he and Carol purchased the Holiday Shop. The Brownlows owned and operated the gift and sporting good establishment for 23 years. In 1989, Gheral was elected to his first term as Yavapai County Supervisor, a position he held for 16 years. His resolute interest in Prescott’s youth was evident in his service on the Boards of Directors of the Police Athletic League, Little League, Babe Ruth Baseball, Pop Warner Football and the YMCA. He mentored many Eagle Scout candidates on their community service projects. Gheral, always a sports enthusiast, favored softball, basketball, racquetball and volleyball, playing on local teams for some 55 years. He and Carol also enjoyed attending their grandchildren’s sporting events all over the state. Gheral’s running career started 28 years ago when he helped initiate the Whiskey Row Marathon. Three years later, he co-founded the Man Against Horse race. Gheral was involved in starting many other local races, raising money for Headstart, Boys & Girls Club, and Yavapai Big Brothers Big Sisters, among others and participated in races throughout the state. One of his favorites was the Whiskey Row Boot Race. For many years he ran in Senior Olympics, winning the 400-meter run. He was a tireless advocate and a fierce protector of the community he dearly loved and deemed “the greatest place to live.” In his elected position, he was instrumental in the development of Pioneer Park, which was built completely by volunteer efforts. The park is also home to a public-access trailhead engineered by Gheral. After the 6-mile trail was completed, it was most appropriately named the Brownlow Trail. He was instrumental in the completion of road and building projects throughout Yavapai County including Fain Road, Pioneer Parkway and the Highway 89A realignment. He was most proud that Yavapai County remained debt-free during his tenure as Supervisor of District 1. Gheral organized the annual Downtown Christmas lighting for over 11 years and dedicated himself to making the Downtown Christmas Lighting bigger, brighter and more magical each year. Mr. Brownlow has also been involved in community organizations and civic activities, including on the Parks and Recreation Commission as well as being active in the Lion’s Club, Moose Lodge, Prescott Chamber of Commerce, Toastmasters, Downtown Prescott Association, Yavapai College Booster Club and the Downtown Lighting Committee. He was a member of Sacred Heart Church and life member and the first-ever Honorary Captain of the Yavapai County Jeep Posse. Gheral proudly served his country in the Arizona National Guard from 1950 to 1972, when he retired from a distinguished military career as First Sergeant (E8). He will be greatly missed and kept in the hearts of all who knew and loved him. A vigil service and time of sharing will be 6 p.m. Monday, March 31, 2008, at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Prescott. A mass and Celebration of Life service will be 10 a.m. Tuesday, April 1, 2008, at the Sacred Heart Church in Prescott, Ariz. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to Gheral Brownlow Track Scholarship. The scholarship will be awarded through the auspices of the Prescott Education Foundation, which is a duly qualified 501 (C)(3) entity. Checks should be made payable to the Prescott Education Foundation and mailed to P.O. Box 1191, Prescott, AZ 86302, Attention: Rob Pecharich. Arrangements were entrusted to Hampton Funeral Home. Information provided by survivors. See Also: Find A Grave |
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