James "Jim" Albert Brown

Jim made his transition from earth to Heaven on Thursday, October 12, 2023 at his home with family members present. On Monday he had suffered a brain aneurysm from which he did not regain consciousness.

Jim is survived by his wife, Joan, son Nathan Brown (Gretchen) , daughter Rachele Pruett (Greg), grandchildren Zachary Pruett, Nora Pohlenz (Zachary), Laurel Pruett, Darby Brown, and great grandson Ezra James Pohlenz.

Jim was born on September 14th, 1934 to Ethyl and Merle Brown at 99 Oliver Street, Pontiac, Michigan. His sister Juliamae and brother Merle welcomed him. Jim graduated Michigan State University with a master's degree in animal and human physiology, intending to go on to become a veterinarian. He decided to get his military service out of the way and joined the USAF in 1958. He graduated pilot training and was assigned B47 aircraft in Strategic Air Command, MacDill AFB, Tampa, Florida, and later was sent to Pease AFB in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. This was during the period of the Cold War and the B47 carried nuclear weapons. Jim and his crew would regularly spend a week or more in a bunker in readiness to carry the weapons to designated targets.

In 1966 he was assigned to Dover AFB, Dover, Delaware where he learned a new plane, the C141 Starlifter. Jim flew missions into Vietnam carrying personnel or equipment, and on return flights the contents would often be wounded or deceased warriors. He received commendations for his heroic service during the Vietnam conflict. In 1970 he resigned his commission.

As a cadet in 1958, he was invited to speak to his cousin's second grade class about airplanes, and met another teacher, Joan Kissock, who was later to become his wife. They had 61 years of marriage which resulted in the births of children Nathan and Rachele, grandchildren Zachary, Nora and Laurel Pruett, Darby Brown and great grandson, Ezra James Pohlenz.

After leaving the Air Force, Jim, Joan and children moved to their cabin in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan where Jim did carpentry for three years until he was hired by The Salvation Army to be the director of Silver Lake Camp and Conference Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He was not the least bit intimidated to launch into this unknown career and city, believing with all his heart that he'd been led by God in answer to prayers for direction. Within a few days he had hired students from a nearby Bible school as staff, including a cook and a caretaker. The facility was up and running when the first conference started, 150 Salvation officers onsite for a few days, meals and all services in place. The relationships established then have been lifelong.

Jim went on in later years to become a real estate appraiser. He enjoyed that profession for about forty years, working up until December 2022. He liked having contact with the homeowners and often prayed for them before leaving their home.

Jim loved to work, but he loved to have fun as well. All of his children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews knew that Jim was the one who was thinking up the fun, often very crazy activities for them to participate in WITH HIM. There was the swing that was suspended from a chain between trees about 40 feet above ground (an engineering success), Wrestling matches, water fights, and outdoor night games in the dark of the woods. Another favorite was sliding down a flight of carpeted stairs on a plastic sled with pillows at the bottom. He teased constantly and loved it when it was handed right back to him!

Jim's greatest joy was to serve others. Each member of his family attests to his jumping to the rescue for them, happy to help day or night, no matter the distance or circumstance. His service extended to many - he saw a need of a missionary acquaintance and established New Horizons International which had a small board of four. He provided the logistics, banking, newsletters, problem solving, and prayer; for a few hundred missionaries worldwide for over 24 years under his management. He also was a gifted carpenter and woodworker, skills he also utilized in helping others – and knowledge he passed on to his son.

Jim's Bible margin has a notation which says, "Life Verse". It's Lamentations 3:26. "It is good both to hope and wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord."

Jim knew God. Jim had an active prayer life. Jim listened to God. Jim had an action oriented faith which was seen in tangible deeds towards others and God. And now he sees Him face to face.

A memorial service will be held at 9:28 AM, Monday, October 23, 2023, at the Community Church, 1819 SW 21st Street, Topeka, KS 666604.

Graveside services with miltary honors conducted by the McConnell Air Force Honor Guard will be held at 2:00 PM Monday, October 23, 2023, at the Kansas Veterans Cemetery, 5181 Wildcat Creek Road, Manhattan, KS 66503.