D. Curtis Brown of Caro, age 77, passed away at his home on Thursday, February 12, 2015 with his loving family by his side. He was born January 23, 1938 in Mayville, the son of the late William WF Brown and Dora (Penland Slaughter) Brown. He moved to Shields at a young age, and then moved to Caro where he attended country school and graduated from Caro High School. As a young boy he helped support his family by driving tractor for Howard Sayers. Curtis loved music and played the saxophone with the Caro Marching Band and sang in the school choir. He sang in the church choir at Dayton Center Church, Wahjamega Church, and the First Baptist Church of Caro, where he was currently a member. Curtis had also been Youth Leader at Wahjamega Church. When he graduated from high school, he went to work in Marlette, and then worked for Rex Binder Sales in Caro. Curtis was united in marriage with his high school sweetheart, the former Darlene Clement, in 1957, and she survives him. Curtis began his thirty year career at Saginaw Steering Gear in 1967, retiring in 1996. He was proud to be a member of the Skilled Trades and received many financial awards for suggested improvements to the “company suggestion box.” During his life, he enjoyed working on cars, collecting coins, and most importantly, spending time with his grandchildren. He enjoyed traveling with his wife, Darlene, throughout the United States, and the many family camping trips they went on every year, one of which included deer hunting trips to his brother, Russell’s, trailer in Lake City. Curtis was a good friend to many people and was always willing to help anyone in need. Curtis is survived by his loving wife of fifty-seven years, Darlene, of Caro; four children and their spouses, Janice Shelito of Caro, Timothy (Gail) Brown of Grandville, James (Jackie) Brown of Fremont, Tammy (Jeff) Mathys of Caro; seven grandchildren, Jennifer Shelito, Trevor Shelito, Christy (Aaron) Knapp, Katie (Mike) McDonald, Niki (Andrew) Robinson, Curtis James Brown, Emily (Travis) Bishop; siblings, Sona Hunt, Mary Lou (Bob) Posey, Betty (Alvin) Lockwood; sister-in-law, Donna (Calvin) Kilmer; special cousins, Edie Edwards and Beth (Minder) Weaver; many special friends, Tom Shelito, Lou, Michelle and Nicole Hodges, and Mary Hamilton; and his constant, four-legged companion, Riley. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his siblings, Evelyn Chapman, Sagle and Beauford Slaughter, Russell, Roy and Carl Brown. Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, February 16, 2015 at the Caro First Baptist Church with Rev. Ronald Wigand officiating. Burial will follow at Almer Township Cemetery. The family will be present to receive friends at the Ransford Collon Funeral Home in Caro on Sunday from 2:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. and at the church on Monday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service at 11:00 a.m. Those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider memorial contributions to the Caro First Baptist Church in memory of D. Curtis Brown. The family was assisted with these arrangements by the Ransford Collon Funeral Home of Caro. Friends may share memories, thoughts and prayers online at www.RansfordCollon.com.