of Little Rock, AR
November 19, 1971 - March 27, 2020
James David Brown, Jr. lived an extraordinary life from November 19, 1971 until March 27, 2020. David passed away from pneumonia and other complications resulting from 48 years with cerebral palsy.
He was born to James David Sr. and Joyce Weatherly Brown. He graduated from Joe T. Robinson High School with honors and was an honorary member of the basketball team there.
He was extremely close to his family and lived with his parents until his death. Although David was physically disabled and confined to a wheelchair, he did not think of himself as limited. From his birth, his family was committed to making his life as full as possible. To that end, he went scuba diving, party barging, motorcycling, horseback riding, helicopter riding, swimming in the ocean, deep-sea fishing, camping, golfing, snow skiing and more. He loved art and was an accomplished painter through the Artistic Realization Technology (A.R.T.) program at Easter Seals of Arkansas. He won several awards for his artwork at the Arkansas State Fair and other locations. He also enjoyed hunting for whatever was in season, but especially for deer with his nephew, Aaron Sharp. He was able to really enjoy hunting later in his life thanks to the Challenged Outdoorsmen of America who assisted with deer hunting and fishing outings.
David loved sports! Any kind of sports was great-bowling to hockey, it was all good to him. He was a super fan for all of his family's activities from ice skating to football and baseball to golf. He loved watching Ouachita Baptist University games whether courtside for basketball or in the endzone for football when that was still allowed. He spent many late summer weeks over the years in Weatherford, Oklahoma at Southwestern Oklahoma University with his brother-in-law (now deceased), Paul Sharp as he readied the Bulldogs for the upcoming football season. David was a very loyal UALR Trojan fan and was a season ticket holder for basketball. He was a fan of coaches as well; his room is filled with notes, photos, and memorabilia from coaches such as Paul Sharp, Houston Nutt, Barry Switzer, Harold Steelman, Wayne Davenport, Steve Shields, Joe Foley and others.
David enjoyed board games and cards. He began playing cards with his grandmother at a very young age and appreciated watching all sorts of games. He played cards on a regular basis with his friends at Chenal Country Club, thanks to his nephew Aaron and his friend, Dr. Brian Dunlap. He even played checkers remotely with his cousins in northwest Arkansas. He watched poker tournaments on television and could actually follow everything going on.
David was a great friend to many people and especially loved his sometimes caregiver, Ms. Carol Massey. He really enjoyed telephoning people! He particularly loved his family. He did something special with every member, such as sneaking to the driving range before school with his brother-in-law Steve. He was a devoted son and brother, always willing and ready to encourage and love. His whole family adored him.
He was preceded in death by his father, James David Brown, Sr. He is survived by his mother, Joyce Weatherly Brown. Other survivors are his sisters and brothers-in-law Robert and Sherrie Sharp Thomasson and Steve and Debbie Woosley of Little Rock. David is survived by a large group of nieces and nephews and their children. These include Aaron and Tiffaney Sharp (Hunter), Adam Sharp (Aiden, Addison, Ansley, Austin), Claire and Brett Golden (Georgia, Genevieve), Baxter and Meredith Woosley, Alex and Melanie Dawson (Banks, Harper) and Kara Thomasson, all of Little Rock. He also has countless extended family (cousins, aunts, uncles) who will miss him.
David was a Christian and was baptized by his uncle, Dr. Bill Brown (deceased) at Morrilton First Baptist Church, but David was a lifelong member of Immanuel Baptist Church of Little Rock, Arkansas.
Reverend Phil Spigner of Immanuel will officiate a private graveside service for immediate family. The funeral will be live-streamed Sunday, March 29 at 5:00 p.m. on Joyce Brown's FaceBook page.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to the Ouachita Baptist University Paul Sharp Scholarship Fund Department, the UALR Trojan Athletic Department, or the Immanuel Baptist Church Food Pantry.
Arrangements by Roller-Chenal Funeral Home:
to our friend and "partner" great times with you at chenal cards, fishing UALR games etc.wish we could have had one more icee! you will always be in our hearts!-john and jane yocum
We are so sorry for your loss and ask God's blessing for all of you. He was such a happy and fun young man.
I am so sorry for your loss. David was such a good friend. Rest In Peace and comfort knowing we will all enjoy him again soon.
David was always an inspiration to us through his ability to overcome hardship. It was an honor to share with him a love for UALR basketball.
David always greeted me with a fist bump. He will truly be missed by all his Easter Seals family.
I will never watch fireworks on the 4th of July or drive around Little Rock looking at Christmas lights that I won’t be reminded of David. Thanks for letting me be a part of such special family times. His life was a portrait of courage...what a blessing he was to this world!
So sorry for the loss of David. There are lots of great memories, many of which happened on the driveway basketball court. God bless you all.
To Mrs. Brown and family,
The LORD bless you and keep you;
The LORD make His face shine upon you,
And be gracious to you;
The LORD lift up His countenance upon you,
And give you peace.
Numbers 6:24-26
Love extended to you all.
So sorry to hear. David was truly special. Will say prayers for him and for you and your family.
So sorry for your loss. David was a fabulous part of our Easterseals family. He will be greatly missed.
To Ms. Joyce and all Brown family,
We are sending our love and support during this difficult time. We pray for God’s peace and understanding. David will certainly be missed by all.
Much love,
Kim & Danny Golden
Dear Mrs. Joyce and family,
We are sending our love and support to you all during this difficult time. Praying for God’s peace and understanding. I know David will certainly be missed.
Much love,
Kim & Danny Golden
I’m so sorry for your loss. I know your heart is broken. God bless your family. I know he had a wonderful family !!
Our thoughts and prayers are with the family. If you ever met David it was meeting a friend forever. Remember the great times/years "God" blessed you with David.
Dear Joyce, Sherrie, Debbie and families, We love you and lift you all in prayer. We will always remember David’s sweet attitude.
May God comfort your hearts today and bless you with endearing memories that your hearts will always treasure.
With Sympathy and Prayers,
Martha Nicholas
David was a great friend and will be dearly missed. It seems like we became instant friends the first time I met him and that’s just the kind of guy he was. He never seemed to meet a stranger and always had a smile on his face
I was so sorry for your loss. Since I met David in 1999, I've admired his spirit and enthusiasm. He was very lucky to have you as you were him.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you all! Big D will be greatly missed but we will see him again! We are sure he is playing ball with Uncle Jim and Paul!
David has been my game buddy at Trojan basketball games ever since I started ushering about 10 years ago. He made all the games more interesting and his passion for the Trojans was always obvious. He will be missed by all, but especially by me. Prayers of peace and comfort for his loving family.
I am so sorry for your loss. David has always brought me great joy I will always remember the summers with you all. He lived such an amazing life and is living his heavenly life to the fullest. It brings me to tears thinking of all the great times with him his excitement and joy I will always remember. I love you all and am praying for you.
My heart felt sympathy goes out the family. David was a wonderful young man and an inspiration to everyone.
His life was well lived.
Love and prayers,
Julie Brown
Dear Family-
What a testimony of a life well lived and also to a loving and supporting Christian family. Our thoughts and prayers are with you today.
Dear Brown Family,
What a wonderful tribute to David in his obituary! We are thinking of you during this sad time.
Jim & Janith
Joyce and family,
I am so sorry about the loss of your precious son. My heart shares your sadness. Please know that you are in my thoughts and prayers.
With love,
Peggy Holt Goodgame
Their wasn't anybody else I liked taking Crap from more then David growing up! Always a good time at the Sharp's house but even more when David was around. It's been a long time but we still love you guys and think of those good times every once in a while.
David was a ray of sunshine! He always had a smile an will be missed. â¤ï¸
David will be so missed in my art class at Easterseals! He was a gifted painter and friend. He loved to paint and send his mom pictures weekly of the progress! I must have 100 pics of him on my phone with his paintings! Cheers to you David. You are one of a kind! Fly high sweet friend!
Blessings to your sweet family, Susan Tillemans
I will always consider David as a GIFT in my life. A gift from GOD.I will sorely miss him and his family. He was my Goober (a funny and silly person). Rest in peace my dear friend.
To Joyce & family,
I am heartbroken for your loss. David always made me laugh! Love you and we are praying for all of you.
Dear Joyce and Brown Family,
We are praying for you all as you grieve the loss of your precious David. Joyce, as a mother, my heart is especially heavy for you. Our sweet Lord, who knows your pain, can comfort you in the way that is solely unique for you. We are rejoicing for David Brown today, but sharing in the sorrow left behind.
Love to you,
Bryan & Amy Golden
I cannot believe that we are not supposed to reach out and touch you with our love. Please know that we are praying for each of you. David was a lot of fun, as you know. I don't know what the Trojan basketball team will do now for a coach??? Please know we love you guys and are praying for you!