Dr. Edward Alan Brown

Dr. Edward Alan Brown, 69, of Stuttgart, Arkansas, passed away on Saturday, January 24, 2026, at Baptist Health Medical Center in Stuttgart. He leaves behind a legacy rooted in family, education, and a lifelong dedication to soybean agriculture. Ed was born on October 11, 1956, in Morrilton, Arkansas, to the late Ella Chloe Bennett Magar and the late Bobby Marion Brown. He was a 1975 graduate of Plummerville High School, where he was a proud member of the Future Farmers of America and held several leadership positions. Following high school, Ed pursued a life devoted to education and professional service in agriculture. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Agronomy (1980), and a Master of Science in Agronomy (1982) from the University of Arkansas, and a Doctorate in Plant Breeding and Genetics from the University of Missouri in 1986. Ed was a respected professor in the College of Agriculture at Arkansas State University, where he devoted the past eight years to teaching, mentoring, and advancing the field he loved. He believed deeply in the power of education and took great pride in guiding students not only in their studies but also in their futures. His knowledge, integrity, and steady encouragement left a lasting impression on his students and earned him the admiration of colleagues across the university community. Previously, he held positions at The University of Missouri-Tuscumbia, Missouri location, Bayer, and Jacob Hartz Seed Company, a subsidiary of Monsanto, where he was the Director of Research. While at Monsanto, he had the opportunity to put his knowledge to work by scientifically putting the RoundUp™ gene in soybean varieties. This led to his introducing seed varieties and traveling to many southern states, Central, and South America. He visited Argentina 42 times (where he was known as “Dr. Soybean”), traveling to all parts of the country, including Ushuaia. He was an active member of the American Society of Agronomy, the Crop Science Society of America, the Arkansas Certified Crop Advisors Committee, and Collegiate FFA. Throughout his career, Dr. Brown authored numerous peer-reviewed scientific publications and held plant variety patents. Most recently, he authored the textbook Plant Science: An Introduction to Growth, Development, and Production of Agronomic and Horticultural Crops. Beyond his professional life, Ed—also known to many as Eddie, Captain Ed, or Eddie Boo—was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather. He shared nearly 50 years of marriage with his wife, Susan, building a life centered on love, partnership, and family. He was a proud father to Amanda Brown (Ron Wessels) of Miami Beach, Florida; Kimberly Douglas (Alex Ayala) of Audubon, New Jersey; and Meghan Capps (Seth) of Stuttgart, Arkansas. He was a loving grandfather to Connor and Rowan Capps, who affectionately called him “Papa.” He is also survived by his brother, Todd Magar; his father-in-law, Harold Moll; his sister-in-law, Janis Horn; brother-in-law, David Moll (Aggie); his dearest neighbor and friend, Whitney Daniel; and a host of family, friends, and his ASU Jonesboro family. Nothing brought Ed more joy than spending time with his grandsons—cheering them on in sports, taking family boat rides at Greers Ferry Lake, traveling, spending summers on the beach in Aruba, hunting, riding his Kawasaki H2 motorcycles, reading, continuing his education, and, of course, cheering on the Arkansas Razorbacks. In addition to his parents, Ed was preceded in death by his grandparents, Thurlo and Ollie Brown and Joseph and Elva Bennett; his brother, Danny Brown; his mother-in-law, Mary Ruth Beck Moll; and his lifelong friend and “brother,” Hal Walker. Ed will be remembered for his steady presence, thoughtful nature, and the quiet strength he brought to both his family and his work. Whether in a classroom, a field, or at home surrounded by those he loved, he led with patience, wisdom, and heart. A Celebration of Life will be held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, April 18th, at Harris Funeral Home in Morrilton, Arkansas. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial donations be made to the school of your choice, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, or a chosen charity in Ed’s memory. He will be deeply missed and forever remembered by all who had the privilege of knowing him. The family would like to extend their deepest gratitude to Dr. Rhonda Gentry and her staff at CARTI, and Dr. Noble Daniel and his staff at Baptist Health Medical Center of Stuttgart and Stuttgart Medical Clinic for their wonderful care over the past year.

Dr. Edward Alan Brown

October 11, 1956 - January 24, 2026