Remembering Frank Brownell III (1939–2025)

Remembering Frank Brownell III (1939–2025)

Born June 24, 1939, in Montezuma, Iowa, to Brownells founder Bob and Lois Brownell, Frank joined the family business in 1965 after graduating magna cum laude from the University of Iowa and serving as a U.S. Navy reservist on the USS Caliente. He laid out Big Book Catalog #18 and helped publish the first Gunsmith Kinks book in 1969. As President (1983), CEO (2007), and Chairman (2012), Frank transformed Brownells into the world’s leading supplier of firearms accessories, gunsmithing tools, and parts. From marketing the Latigo Sling in 1964 to elevating gunsmithing as a respected profession, his innovations—like the Law Enforcement Patrol Rifle Program—redefined the industry. A Navy veteran and Second Amendment advocate, Frank’s kindness and enthusiasm shone at SHOT Show and NRA Annual Meetings, where he greeted “long lines of friends.” His son, Pete Brownell, CEO of Brownells, said, “Frank was the kind of person who made you better just by being around him.”

Frank is survived by his sons, Bob, Pete, and Matt, and their families. Service details will be shared soon. For those of us who’ve spent hours with Brownells’ catalogs or sifting through their website, Frank’s legacy lives in every custom build, every magazine sold, and every round of ammo that is shipped out the door. TFB’s Weekly Web Deals wouldn’t be nearly as varied if it wasn’t for Brownells. Share your memories of his impact or your favorite Brownells tools in the comments, and let’s honor a man who made our industry truly better.

Frank’s Obituary

A lifelong resident of Montezuma, Frank Royce Brownell III passed away on June 18, 2025 after a lengthy illness. He was a week short of 86 years old. Funeral services will begin at 10:30 am on Saturday, July 12, 2025 at the Community Hope Church in Montezuma. Visitation will begin after 12:00 pm Friday, July 11, 2025 at the Community Hope Church with the family present from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm to greet friends and relatives. A Masonic Service will be held Friday, July 11, 2025 at the Community Hope Church beginning at 3:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Brownells Foundation or DMMO (Des Moines Metro Opera). Holland-Coble Funeral Home of Montezuma is in charge of arrangements.

During his active career spanning almost sixty years, Frank became a well-known, beloved figure in the gun industry. He frequently welcomed long lines of friends at the Brownells booth during annual industry gatherings like SHOT Show and the NRA Annual Meetings and Conventions. He loved collecting guns, especially skillfully engraved and decorated ones, and enjoyed fine food, SCUBA diving, and music and art of many different kinds. He also had a great fondness for finely crafted miniature replica firearms, and Venetian glass paperweights.

Both Frank and the business that would become known as Brownells began in 1939 in Montezuma, IA, with Frank being born on June 24 of that year. The second of three children and only son of Brownells founder Bob and wife Lois, Frank became involved in both the family business and the American gun industry at an early age. In 1957, Frank appeared on the cover of the February issue of American Rifleman, photographed hunting mule deer near Devils Tower in Wyoming.

Frank was a 1957 graduate of Montezuma high school and earned a BA in Advertising in the School of Journalism from the University of Iowa in 1961, Magna Cum Laude. He married his college sweetheart Nancy Denton after completing Navy Officer Candidate School in Rhode Island. Shortly after the wedding, Frank reported to his duty station aboard the USS Caliente AO-53, a fleet oiler based out of Long Beach, California.

One of Frank’s first jobs for Brownells was shortly before he left the Navy in 1964. With the USS Caliente in port for overhaul in Portland, Oregon, Frank took leave and drove with wife Nancy to Los Angeles, CA, to work in the Brownells booth at the NRA Annual Convention and Meetings. One of the products he helped market at the show was the new Latigo Sling, a rifle sling Brownells still sells to this day.

Upon completing his military service, Frank joined Brownells full time in 1965, with his first major project laying out Big Book Catalog #18. Frank was active in all parts of the business, and helped publish the first of the Gunsmith Kinks series of books in 1969 under the name F. Brownell and Son.

Frank assumed the role of President at Brownells in 1983, taking over the day-to-day operations of the business from his father Bob. He served as President for 24 years, moving into the CEO role in 2007 when son Pete became the President.

In 2012, Frank passed the reins of CEO on to Pete and became the Chairman of the Board, a position he remained in until his passing.

Frank believed in giving back to the community and served on the Montezuma City Council for over fifty years and was Mayor Pro Tem for much of his tenure. He provided leadership on several boards including the Grinnell hospital board, the Wittington Center, the School of Journalism at the University of Iowa, and many firearms industry related organizations.

He was a fifty-plus year Mason, a member of York Rite, Scottish Rite and Za Ga Zig Shrine.

Above all else, Frank Brownell was a devoted husband, father and grandfather. He is survived by his sons and their spouses: Bob and Braedi, Pete and Helen, and Matt and Jodi. He is also survived by six grandchildren: Alex, Mairead, Aidan, Ruari, Jake and Kyle. Frank’s sister, Lynne and her husband Andy Boysen also survive him along with several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Nancy, his parents, Bob and Lois, and his sister, Diana.