With heavy hearts the City of Allen grieves the loss of Keep Allen Beautiful board chair Mardy Brown and his wife Lisa. The couple was killed in a traffic accident on Sunday, Sept. 11.
Brown had served on the Keep Allen Beautiful (KAB) board since 2009, including several stints as chair.
“He had a passion for where he lived—what it looked like, how it developed,” said Donna Kliewer, waste services manager for the City of Allen. “He had a great historical knowledge of Allen. Every time a property developed, he could picture some KAB project there.”
Brown displayed his enthusiasm for Allen at countless community events. During Allen Recycles Day and the Great American Cleanup, Brown welcomed residents and volunteers with a smile. His wife, Lisa, joined him at many events.
“I can’t imagine one without the other,” said Kliewer. “If he wasn’t working, they were together.”
Brown was instrumental in the application process for Keep Texas Beautiful’s Governor’s Community Achievement Award—a $270,000 prize awarded to Texas communities for their beautification and community improvement efforts. The City of Allen received this prestigious award in both 2012 and 2016. The city plans to use the winnings to create a landmark entry point along US 75 near Allen Drive; Brown was currently representing KAB on the design committee.
“Mardy Brown’s passion and vision helped guide the efforts of Keep Allen Beautiful for seven years,” said Mayor Stephen Terrell. “We are grateful for his contributions of time and talent and know he will be deeply missed.”
The Browns moved to Allen in 1998 and raised their four children in the city. Members of their extended family often pitched in at KAB events.
“He always had a twinkle in his eye,” said Andrea Smith, education specialist for the City of Allen. “He loved life and he loved people.”
A funeral service will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 17 at Genesis Church (5780 Virginia Parkway, McKinney). Interment will follow at Ridgeview Memorial Park in Allen.