Robert Neal Brown, Sr., 77, of Gonzales and formerly of Austin, passed from this life into the arms of Jesus on Thursday, May 16, 2019. Robert was born December 15, 1941 in Austin to Fred and Bessie Steussy Brown. He married the love of his life Sandra Lee McGee in Seguin on February 5, 1959. He was a member of Faith Family Church and previously River of Life Worship Center in Austin. Robert was raised in Austin by his mother and stepfather Hulon Thompson. He graduated from McCallum High School where he had been active in football and track. After high school Robert studied plumbing and was the youngest person in Texas to receive a Master Plumbing license at the time, a record that stood for many years. Robert worked as a plumber until 1968 when he went back to school to study Nursing Home Administration. Robert served as the Administrator for McGee Nursing Home in Teague, Texas until he and his wife received a calling to study at Christ for the Nations Bible Institute. After completing their studies, they moved back to Austin where Robert accepted a job as a Commercial Plumbing Inspector. Robert was very thorough with his inspections and among commercial contractors soon was given the epithet of “Red-tag” Brown. He continued his work for the City of Austin as a Code Specialist finally retiring in 2003 as the Chief Commercial Inspector. Robert wasn’t cut-out for retirement, soon after he began working for the Texas Parks and Wildlife. Robert loved writing stories and poems in his free time. He particularly enjoyed drawing and fulfilling his passion for fishing and duck hunting. He found a deep sense of peace and pride in caring for his lawn and 14 rose bushes. He was a loving father who instilled a strong sense of integrity and the rewards of hard work into his children. He shared his undeniable faith and the teachings in scripture with his family, he showed them how to live and believe as a Christian. That works alone are not enough as in Galatians 2:16 “man is not justified through works of the law except through faith in Jesus Christ," or "but by means of faith in Jesus Christ." Robert Neal Brown, Sr. is survived by his adoring and faithful wife of 60 years, Sandra McGee Brown of Gonzales, his beloved children, daughter, Barbara Diane Walker and Olin of Fairfield, sons, Robert Neal Brown, Jr. and Teresa of Fairfield, Matthew Lee Brown and Jennifer of Elgin, sister, June Thompson Burns of Austin, 5 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his mother and stepfather, Bessie and Hulon Thompson, and a sister, Patricia Poole. Funeral services will be held Sunday, May 19, 2019 at 2 p.m. in Seydler-Hill Funeral Home with Revs. Forrest Hamilton and Robert Smith officiating. Interment will follow in Caraway Cemetery. Pallbearers: Olin Walker, Jason Walker, Matthew Brown, Steven Witten, Alvin west and Ray Walker. The family will receive friends from 1 to 2 p.m. Sunday prior to the service in the funeral home. Memorials may be made to Faith Family Church Building Fund or the River of Life Worship Center. Friends may leave their condolences by visiting www.seydlerhillfuneralhome.com. Services are under the care and direction of Seydler-Hill Funeral Home.