Kenneth Clair Brown, 1916-2011

My uncle, Kenneth Brown, passed away this past week and his funeral was Thursday. I have so many photos of him looking dapper and leaning against things. He liked to have his picture taken with cars.
This photo was taken at the original farm place of my great grandfather Cyrus Wheeler.

Kenneth Brown was born in November of 1917.  He is standing here with his sister, my mom, Zella Brown born in January 1919.  I didn't realize they were so close to the same age, but they were born 2 years and two months apart from each other. They had one older brother who was Marvin Brown.

Sylvia Cervenka and Kenneth Brown married in 1946

Kenneth grew up in the Lorimor, Macksburg area and eventually ended up in the Murray, Iowa area.  He left as a young adult to travel to California where he worked on B 24 bombers.  He was drafted into the army and served four years.  After his service he returned to California to work. Marriage followed and returning to Iowa where his wife and he had three sons.

His family grew as his three sons, Robert, Don and Gene, all married.  When he passed away he had five grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren.

He farmed at first when he returned to Iowa and then later took a job at a Farm and Home store in Osceola, working hard for the business for 18 years.  He and his wife moved to Murray, from off of the farm, in 1975.

I will always remember him as kind and gentle.  He loved all of his family and was proud of them.  He probably was the one who most resembled the character of my Grandmother, his mother, with his positive attitude, friendliness  and work ethic. He lost his wife almost 11 years ago after she had become ill.  He took such great care of her at home for some time and was such a devoted husband.

The town of Murray will miss him as he had become a great member of the community and the church.  He is the last of the three children of LeRoy and Mabel Wheeler Brown.

Check out the other bloggers who are participating in Sepia Saturday from all over the world.