James T. Brown leaves lasting legacy with AMBUCS, other community service

The city has many unsung heroes, quietly making a difference everyday for future generations. Among these, several Amarillo individuals were brought to the Globe-News' attention during the nomination process for its annual awards and honors, and one of those was the late James T. Brown.

Brown, born July 19, 1954, in Amarillo, was raised in the Pleasant Valley Elementary area and spent his entire life working to help those within the community before his passing on Feb. 27, 2022. From Boy Scouts to AMBUCS and his career in insurance, Brown was known for his "I got it," attitude and always ensured that whatever task he was working on was done to the best of his ability.

Nearly a year since Brown's passing, through the creation of the AMBUCS parks and a life of service, his legacy continues to impact those in the community.

Throughout his childhood, Brown enjoyed activities with his father and grandfather, including hunting, fishing, and farming, whom his sister, Dejauna Rambo, believes helped to later in life spark his giving nature.

"Maybe he saw how grandpa, and my dad both, were so loving and wanted to teach," Rambo said. "Maybe that's why he was there too, always wanting to help and do for others because he saw that in those men growing up."

After graduating from Palo Duro High School in 1972, Brown attended and graduated from Amarillo College, where he met his wife, Deborah Harlan. Involved in insurance his entire professional career, Brown started providing personal insurance to families and businesses with Bill Harlan Insurance Agency in 1976, which later became Harlan & Brown Insurance. Later the company merged with Upshaw Agency in 2005, allowing offices to expand in the Amarillo community and be established in Dallas.

During his time as an insurance agent, Brown served on many insurance boards. Later in life, Brown was nominated by Randall County Judge Ernie Houdashell and State Rep. John Smithee to sit on the Texas Department of Insurance Board. Brown was later appointed by then-Gov. George Bush to serve as president, which Brown did for several years before his 2021 retirement. During that time, Brown was the first local agent to serve more than once as president of the local Independent Insurance Agents Association.

"He was always there when someone needed help with their loss of property, or to guide an employee at his office or just improve any situation. I am so proud to be his sister who observed his legacy of love for everyone during his lifetime. He was special," Rambo said.

In addition to doing all he could to help those in need within the insurance world, Brown was also very involved with community service. In the early 1980s, he joined the former Amarillo Jaycees where he helped to make and provide car seats for newborns leaving the hospital after birth. At the same time, Brown and his wife both served as a Big Brother and Big Sister through the Amarillo program, mentoring youth in the area.

In 1984, Brown joined Southwest AMBUCS, where he along with the organization's 120 members worked to create mobility and independence for individuals with disabilities. During his lifelong work with the nonprofit, Brown served in many positions with the AMBUCS board including chairman of the committee and spearheading the creation of the Southwest AMBUCS Park located in Medi-Park, established in 2016. This park was the first park in Amarillo designed to facilitate children with special needs.

Southwest AMBUCS is the Amarillo area chapter of the national non-profit service organization consisting of individuals dedicated to creating life-changing mobility opportunities for individuals with disabilities. Some of the Amarillo fundraisers the nonprofit hosts are the Down Syndrome-Buddy Walk and the Gobble Wobble, as well as fundraising support for the Children’s Rehab Center and the Special Olympics. In addition, the organization also donates therapeutic tricycles, called AmTrykes, to individuals who are unable to ride traditional bikes, and it awards area scholarships to therapists. Over the past few years, AMBUCS has worked to create mobility inclusive public parks.

Brown was also involved in the creation and establishment of AMBUCS's second and third parks, the third being the most recent, the Kylie Hiner Memorial Playground that broke ground in October 2022 in Canyon.

Tony Hall, AMBUCS member and longtime friend to Brown, stated that Brown served as a mentor to him after moving to Amarillo in 2013 and was always someone he could rely on.

"He was a pretty good ol' boy and was down to earth. ... Over the years during our fundraisers, there were a few rental things we would need, whether it be seating, air conditioners, whatever, and he would just say, 'I'll handle it,' and he handled it. That's what we would always say bout him; he'd 'handle it.' If we ever needed something, he'd say, 'Alright, I'll take care of it,' and it was taken care of," Hall said.

Brown joined the Amarillo Executive Association in 1998, an executive club consisting of members representing nearly every type of business. As club president and part of the committee, Brown played a role in hosting the iconic Game Dinner.

"I'd known James for probably 35 years, and James Brown was just a vary fair, fun, good guy and just a great friend," said Vance Hall, AMBUCS member and longtime friend. "He was always there to help children and was always there to work with AMBUCS to volunteer to help children with special needs. He volunteered for everything."

"He cared, loved, loved life, and always put himself in a position to help; he was just a special person," Vance Hall added.

This article originally appeared on Amarillo Globe-News: James T. Brown leaves legacy with AMBUCS, other community service