John Harris Brownlee, Jr. of Hensley, Arkansas was born February 11, 1939 in Indianola, Mississippi, the son of the late John Harris Brownlee Sr. and Gertrude Brownlee Murphy. He was a member of Orion Missionary Baptist Church in Redfield, and had served in the Arkansas National Guard. Coach Brownlee died Thursday, February 7, 2019 at Baptist Health Medical Center in Little Rock at the age of 79.
After graduation, he played for the Denver Broncos. Coach Brownlee retired from the Helena/West Helena School District as Assistant Superintendent. When he coached at Central, a young man did his internship with him. It was Ken Hatfield, former coach of the Arkansas Razorbacks. As a player, center position , Coach Brownlee was all conference 4 years.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his step-dad, Bill Murphy. Survivors: wife, Sarah Louise Jarboe Brownlee of Hensley; son, Derek and wife Sharon Brownlee of Redfield; daughter, Monique and husband Ricky Harvey of Lonoke County; four grandchildren, Dixie Brownlee, Cameron Brownlee, Amber Jakus and Brittany Jakus; great-grandchildren, Holland, Aussie, Luca and Lennon and a host of extended family members, church family, neighbors and friends.
Funeral service will be 12 noon on February 9, 2019 at Orion Missionary Baptist Church in Redfield with Bro. Jim Easley officiating. Burial will follow at Orion Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Ouachita University Athletic Department, 410 Ouachita Street, Arkadelphia, Arkansas 71998. Arrangements by Memorial Gardens Funeral Home of Sheridan (870) 942-1306.

Published February 9, 2019