James Brown

(From Brenner Mortuary)

James Joseph Brown, Jr., 88, formerly of Newberry Park, California, passed away at 1:27 a.m. Monday, August 28, 2017 at the Tall Grass Creek Nursing Home in Overland Park, Kansas where he had been a resident for the past 15 months. 

He was born February 16, 1929 at Arma, Kansas, the son of James Joseph Sr. and Leona (Fourmont) Brown. He married Opal Geary. They later divorced. He then married Joan Earle. She preceded him in death in 2015. Mr. Brown served in the United States Army during the Korean War, from 1954 until 1956. He then served in the Army Reserves for the next six years. Mr. Brown worked in auto sales most of his life. After retiring, he became a professional clown, known as “Gymie-Jo” the clown for the Shriners organization for the next twenty years. Membership was held for over 30 years in the Masonic Lodge and Shriner’s, where he had served as the Ambassador at Large . He was a member of the American Legion, VFW and Elks Lodge for over 30 years. Mr. Brown was also a life long Chicago Cub’s Fan. 

Survivors include a daughter, Laura Holtom and her husband, Brett of Stilwell, Kansas; a son, James Brown, III of Los Angeles, California; a brother, Bill Brown and his wife, Joan of Springfield, Missouri; six grandchildren, Chase James Holtom, Kara (Holtom) Brown, Nate Brown, Austin Brown, Ian Brown, and Olivia Brown and 3 great-grandchildren, Quynn Holtom, Taylor Brown, and Brawlin Brown and his ex-wife, Opal Brown of Pittsburg, Kansas. He was preceded in death by his wife, Joan (Earle) Brown. 

Graveside services will be 1:30 p.m. Friday (Sept. 1) at the Garden of Memories Cemetery with Pastor Thomas Wehrman officiating. Friends are requested to meet at the cemetery. The Marvin Armstrong Masonic Lodge #187 will provide graveside Masonic rites. Graveside military rites will be provided by Kansas Military Funeral Detail. Friends may call from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday at the Brenner Mortuary to sign the register. The family suggests memorials be given to Shriner’s Children’s Hospital. These may be left at or mailed to the Brenner Mortuary, 114 E. 4th St., Pittsburg, KS 66762. 

Arrangements are under the direction of the Brenner Mortuary, Pittsburg.