James Brown

James Alson Brown passed away peacefully on November 13, 2016.  He was born in Pond, MO on July 3, 1926, third son of James Edward and Modesta Russell Brown.  His family moved to Overland, MO when Alson was 5 years old where he later graduated from Ritenour High School in 1944 before joining the U.S. Navy as a Navy Air Crewman and Aviation Ordinanceman 3rd class petty officer.  After his discharge from the Navy, he received a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering in 1950 from the University of Missouri at Rolla.  He worked at a Parkmoor Drive-In restaurant in St. Louis during the summers while in college...it was there he met Thelma Lucille Pulcher.  Jim and Thelma were married in January 1949 and enjoyed 64 wonderful years before Thelma passed away in July 2013.  After graduation, he worked for Ryerson Steel Company for 36 years before retiring in 1987; first in St. Louis, then Houston, TX and finally Kansas City.   Jim and Thelma became active members of Bethany Lutheran Church, Overland Park, KS in January 1969.  Predeceased by his wife, Thelma, his parents, and all three brothers (William, Russell, David).  Survived by daughter Debbie (Steve) Ellison, son Phillip (Paula) Brown, grandchildren Eric (Samantha) Ellison, Erin (Jimmie) Todd, William Brown, Lucas Brown, and two great-grandchildren, Olivia and Hudson Todd.

Visitation will be held at the Johnson County Funeral Chapel at 11200 Metcalf in Overland Park, Kansas on Saturday, December 3rd from 10-11:00 am, Memorial Service at 11:00 am.  Burial immediately afterwards at Shawnee Mission Memory Gardens, 23215 W. 75th St, Shawnee, KS.

Special thanks to Pastor Ed Trost, the nurses and staff at The Gardens at Barry Road, the care team from Ascend Hospice, and private duty nurses, Peggy, Zephyr, and Edna.  The family requests that memorial gifts be directed to Bethany Lutheran Church, 9101 Lamar, Overland Park, KS  66207.

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