F.L. "Brownie" Brown, age 91, passed away on Monday, January 14th, 2019 in the caring community of the Kansas Veterans Home in Winfield, Kansas.

Born in Leeton/Chilhowee, Missouri, on May 6, 1927 he was the consummate storyteller. He began life on a farm with his parents Fred Lavern and Nellie (McBride) Brown and was the third born of four sons.

On January 4th, 1945 he began a diverse military career including the unique opportunity to serve in both the Navy and Army during World War II. Trained at the U.S. Naval Training and Distribution Center (TADCEN) in Shoemaker, California, Brownie was a member of a Service Squadron (COMSERVRON10) that supported fleet combat units in the Pacific. Navy vessels he served on included; the USS LST-557 and USS LST 656, U.S. Navy LST-542-class tank landing ships; the USS Tatum, a Buckley-class destroyer escort; the USS General H. W. Butner (AP-113), a troopship; and the USS Kermit Roosevelt (ARG-16), a Luzon-class internal combustion engine repair ship. Honorably discharged Seaman First Class, V6 USNR, he continued his military service in the Army, Battery "A", 8th Armored Division, AAA Battalion achieving the rank of Corporal. Brownie was honorably discharged from the Army in September of 1952 and settled in Warrensburg, Missouri.

His bachelor days ended on January 5th, 1984 when he married Thelma Ruth King-Wilkinson in Lamar, Missouri. Their romance blossomed at the Blue Top Café and continued until her death in 2012. Brownie was also preceded in death by his parents and three brothers.

A private service with military rites will be conducted at Cowley County Memorial Lawn Cemetery in Arkansas City, Kansas. Miles Funeral Service is in charge of arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, memorials in Brownie's name may be made through Miles Funeral Service to the Cowley County Humane Society.

His niece, Elaine Nelson, would like to extend her gratitude to his Veteran's Service Officer, Clint Conklin as well as all of the staff at the Kansas Veterans Home for the attentiveness and loving care shown to Brownie over the past two years.