MELVIN F. 'BROWNIE' BROWN

Melvin F. "Brownie" Brown, 81, beloved husband, dad, grandpa and papa and brother, passed on to his Heavenly Home on Monday, June 4, 2007, with his family by his side. He was born on September 18, 1925 at Tribune, Kan., and was the son of Marion Brown and Stella "McDaniel" Brown. Mel and the former Margaret "Teenie" Bland were united in marriage on July 1, 1951, at the First Christian Church in Fort Scott, Kan. He is survived by his loving wife of 55 years, two loving children, Terry L. Brown and his wife Deana of Carthage; Tammy L. Crozier and her husband Bill of LaPlata, Md., three wonderful grandchildren, Toby L. Brown of Carthage, William E. Crozier and Megan Anne Crozier of LaPlata, Md.; his sister Betty (Peggy) Clarkson of Fort Scott, Kan., and his brother Laurence (Shorty) Brown and his friend Colleen of Fort Scott. He is also survived by several nieces and nephews, cousins and many friends. Mel was preceded in death by his parents and one brother-in-law, Richard "Blackie" Clarkson. Mel was a very proud veteran of World War II from January 1942 to Nov. 1946. He served on the Battleship U.S.S. Washington (BB54) in the E. Division and related many interesting stories of his experiences to his family and friends. Mel was an active member of the Fairview Christian Church in Carthage and was a member of the Rising Sun Lodge No. 8 Scottish Rite of Fort Scott, Kan., and The Mirza Shriners of Pittsburg, Kan., and Olive Chapter No. 13 OES and a lifetime member of Olson Frary Burkhart Post No. 1165 Veteran of Foreign Wars. Mel grew up in the Miller and Mt. Vernon, Mo., area and attended the Miller High School until the middle of his Senior Year when he joined the Navy in World War II. Then in 2003 he was privileged to graduate with the Class of 2003 because of the Missouri Declaration that any student quitting school to join the military service could receive their High School Diploma. He was a proud graduate of that class in his cap and gown. Mel and Teenie started a truck line, Brown Refrigerated Express, Inc. in 1954 in Fort Scott and moved to the Carthage area in 1981. They sold the truck line in 1985 and then worked for his son since that time "to do anything he wanted him to do". Mel enjoyed being with his family and friends, fishing and gardener and watching his grandson Toby build and race his sprint car and keeping up with Will and Megan's accomplishments. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday, June 7, 2007, at Fairview Christian Church, Carthage with burial at 2:30 p.m. at Fort Scott National Cemetery, Fort Scott, Kan. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. at Fairview Christian Church. Contributions may be given to Mr. and Mrs. Sunday School Class of Fairview Christian Church in care of Ulmer Funeral Home. Arrangements are under direction of Ulmer Funeral Home, Carthage.