John William Brown

John William Brown, beloved husband, father, brother, and uncle. Born June 14, 1921, and passed away May 25, 2007, at the age of 85 in Rocklin, CA, after a short illness.

John was born to Henry H. Brown and Alta Ocel Neeley Brown, both of Purdin, MO. He is survived in death by his devoted and loving wife of 43 years Mary Dell Hearon Brown; stepdaughter Rosemary McLelland, Sacramento; brother Henry Lee Brown, Shawnee, KS; sister Betty White, Brookfield, MO; nieces Shirley McClaskey, Holt, MO, Judy Morgan, Wheeling, MO, and Susie Murrell, Linneus, MO; nephews Larry Lambert, Cole Camp, MO, Terry Brown, Shawnee, KS, and Johnny Brown, Shawnee, KS; as well as many nieces and nephews.

John was a graduate of Brookfield High School, Class of 1939, and attended Chillicothe Business College. Soon after he came to California John was drafted into the Navy in the fall of 1942. After his naval discharge he returned to California to work and pursue his dreams. He was a resident of California all his adult life and returned home to Purdin for high school and family reunions. He and Mary moved to Fallbrook after retirement in about 1984 to 2006, when they moved to the Sacramento area to be closer to their daughter Rosemary.

A memorial service will be held at Emmanuel Baptist Church, 911 East Elder Street, Fallbrook, CA, Saturday, June 16, at 2 p.m. The body will be cremated and the ashes laid to rest in the Purdin Cemetery, Purdin, MO. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the American Heart Association.