Harold Douglas Brown III, age 82 of Collinsville, IL, born August 1, 1939 in Oil City, PA, passed away on Monday, March 21, 2022 at St. Elizabeth Hospital in O'Fallon, IL.

Doug grew up in Oil City PA, place he embraced and cherished up until his death.  After graduating from Oil City High School, he attended college in Buffalo, NY and later graduated, receiving his Bachelor of  Science degree in Aeronautics from Parks College-St Louis University, all the while serving this country from 1959 through 1965 in the USAF.

Doug enjoyed spending his time at the family cottage in Rockmere, PA. A typical day for him would be navigating up the Allegheny River by canoe or hiking in the beautiful forest surrounding Horse Creek. He was an avid photographer and has endless breathtaking photos of this serene place so dear to him- sometimes he would even allow friends or family in these photos.  Doug's photography skills were also very beneficial during his time as a highly-respected fire and arson investigator.

When Doug was not playing in Rockmere, he returned to his home in Collinsville, IL and filled the roll of an exemplary husband, father, grandfather, friend, and colleague.  As a family, we often wondered how he ever had the time to fill these rolls so flawlessly after working an 8-hour shift for the DMAAC located in St Louis, MO as a Cartographer with top secret clearance and spent most of his evenings at Pyr-Tech, Inc.  as Vice President/Investigator- a company he shared ownership with his long-time friend.  His love of Fire investigations was augmented from his service as a volunteer fireman for the Cahokia and Maryville fire departments.  He added to his list of accomplishments becoming a Licensed private investigator, holding a license in several states – he once was only one of twelve Certified investigators in the us.  Belonging to several organizations- he found the time to fill his roll as past president for IAAI International Association of Arson Investigators as well as an active member Madison County Fireman's organization.

Doug eventually retired from DMAAC (1964-1994) and went full time with Pyr-Tech until his retirement in 2017 diving in headfirst to yet another passion of his- researching ancestry.  They family tree is now an orchard!

Doug will be dearly missed by all who knew him-he was willing to help anyone at anytime and put 100% of himself in everything he did. He was intelligent, kind, passionate, generous with a great sense of humor.  He used the power of knowledge for the good and made a difference in this world.

For those who knew him; he always made us smile, he enticed us to laugh, he encouraged us to soar and to live life safely. He never left us sad or crying……until now.  We Salute you Doug Brown with the Highest Honors!

He was preceded in death by his wife, Carolyn B. (nee Brook s) Brown, whom he married June 20, 1964; a daughter, Terrie Lynn Brown; a grandson, Eric M. Bird; parents, H. Douglas Brown Jr. and Nancy (nee Wilson) Forrester Brown; two sisters: Ann Van Nuys Abdallah and Nancy Wynne Begue; a brother, William Brundred Brown; and his mother-in-law, Mary Aileen Brooks.

Surviving are his two children: Randall C. (John Martinelli) Brown of St. Louis, MO and Cynthia K. (Ben) Bodimer of Emlenton, PA; four grandchildren:  Ben (Tara Dittman) Bodimer of St. Jacob, IL, Zachary Sarrach of Emlenton, PA, Kyle Bird and Dylan Bird both of Collinsville, IL; four great-grandchildren:  Tatum Bodimer and Benjamin Bodimer III of St. Jacob, IL, Caden Bird of Summerville, SC and Braxton Bird of IL;two sisters-in-law:  Kay DuVall and Diana (Tom Kanzler) Brooks all of Collinsville, IL; and extended family, Dave and Marge Crockarell of Edwardsville, IL.

Visitation will be 4 - 7 p.m. on Monday, March 28, 2022 at Barry Wilson Funeral Home, Maryville, IL as well as 11 a.m. to 12 noon on Tuesday, March 29, 2022.

Funeral service will be at 12 noon on Tuesday at the funeral home.  Burial with military honors will be at Lake View Memorial Gardens, Fairview Heights, IL.

Memorials may be made to the Oil City Salvation Army or the Oil City Boat Club and will be received at the visitation or can be mailed to the funeral home at 2800 N. Center Street, Maryville, IL 62062.