With a final wave to his wife and children, Charles W. “Chuck” Brown passed away on Sunday, April 12, 2020 at the age of 85.
He was born July 4, 1934, to A.O. and Helen Brown in Springfield MO, the youngest of three children. Chuck graduated from Parsons High school in 1952 and earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering in 1956 from University of Kansas and was a member of the Sigma Chi fraternity. He joined the Air Force after graduation and served two years.
He married Mary Catherine Owens in January 1957 and moved back to Parsons soon after. The Browns were second generation owners and operators of Brown Oil and Tire Company in Parsons.
Chuck’s support of Parsons and Labette County spanned 50 years. He was a USD 503 board member, a Labette County Medical Center Trustee, Parsons City Commissioner, Parsons City Mayor, an Urban Renewal board member, Parsons Recreation board, an original member of the Jobs Inc. board and a member of the Parsons Kiwanis Club since returning to Parsons in 1960. He served on the former State Bank board of directors and when Commercial Bank took operations of the State Bank over, he was asked to join the board of directors at Commercial. He also served as the City’s Co- Director for Economic Development.
Chuck served on the original LCC Foundation Board and was the chair for the Board for one term. He also served on the Big Hill Lake Advisory Board. He provided leadership on the planning team for the US Highway 400 and the Tolen Creek Land and Trail. Chuck was recognized for his contributions to the community by being the first recipient of the Parsons Chamber of Commerce Business Person of the Year. He was also recognized as Cardinal Citee by Labette Community College.
He was an active supporter of numerous community organizations and fund raising efforts such as the Boy Scouts, Mid- America, Parsons Industries, United Fund, Labette Community College and the Labette County Medical Center Foundation, Seaton Pavilion.
Together the couple served as Honorary Chairs of the LCC Foundation Pathways to the Future Capital Campaign Steering Committee. As a young man, he enjoyed the challenges of small game hunting and trout fishing. Chuck was an avid recreational cyclist, biking in Austria, Canada and trails throughout the United States with his wife and was an active sponsor of Rails to Trails projects.
Survivors include his wife, Mary Catherine, one son, Cotter Brown of Blue Springs, MO and two daughters Nicole Gill and her husband Dan of Pittsburg, KS and Allison Brown of Moab, UT. He was the lucky grandfather of six grandchildren, Isaac, Aaron and Melia Cook and Marley, Zane and Piper Brown and one great-grandson, Ryder Cook. He is also survived by his brothers A.O. Brown and his wife Donna of Mulberry, KS and Eldon Brown in Wailuku, Hawaii.
A private graveside service will be held at Memorial Lawn Cemetery. A memorial service will be held this summer for friends. Memorials are suggested to Parsons Area Community Foundation, and may be left at or mailed to the Carson-Wall Funeral Home, P.O. Box 942, Parsons, KS 67357. Online condolences may be left at www.wallfuneralservices.com.
Survivors include his wife, Mary Catherine, one son, Cotter Brown of Blue Springs, MO and two daughters Nicole Gill and her husband Dan of Pittsburg, KS and Allison Brown of Moab, UT. He was the lucky grandfather of six grandchildren, Isaac, Aaron and Melia Cook and Marley, Zane and Piper Brown and one great-grandson, Ryder Cook. He is also survived by his brothers A.O. Brown and his wife Donna of Mulberry, KS and Eldon Brown in Wailuku, Hawaii.
A private graveside service will be held at Memorial Lawn Cemetery. A memorial service will be held this summer for friends. Memorials are suggested to Parsons Area Community Foundation, and may be left at or mailed to the Carson-Wall Funeral Home, P.O. Box 942, Parsons, KS 67357. Online condolences may be left at www.wallfuneralservices.com.
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