Joseph R. Brown

Joseph R. Brown, 75, of Russellville, AR, died Monday, October 17, 2011 at St. Mary's Regional Medical Center in Russellville, AR. The son of John and Della Mae McCulloum Brown, he was born January 10, 1936 in Carl Junction, MO. He was a 1954 graduate of Riverton High School in Riverton, Kansas. He married Irene Noyes on July 19, 1958 at Worcester, MA.

He entered the United States Navy in 1954 and was a Veteran of the Vietnam War as a submarine repairman and machinist mate. Rising to the rank of Petty Officer 1st Class (E-6), he had a total of 20 years of service including 5 years of foreign service, retiring in 1974. Ships he served on included the USS Norfolk, USS Wren, USS Kitty Hawk and the USS Alstede and the USS Amphion. He received five awards of the Navy Good Conduct Medal and the National Defense Service Medal.

Following his military career, Joseph worked for Arkansas Nuclear One in Russellville as a quality assurance inspector retiring in 1991.

He was a lifetime member of the Good Sam's Travel Club. He volunteered at the Russellville Senior Center in the meals on wheels program served as a member of the Senior Center's Advisory Council.

He was a member of the Rogers-Rye Post #2283 of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the Pleasant View Baptist Church where he served as Deacon. He loved woodworking, traveling across the country and visiting his grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents.

He is survived by his wife, Irene Brown, Russellville; two sons, John Brown & wife Joy, Burkeville, VA. Jeff Brown & wife Dolly, Florence, SC; daughter, Kathy Weatherl & husband Jim, Dover; seven grandchildren, James Lewis, Amanda Miller, Joseph Brown, Audrianna Brown, Michael Brown, James Brown, Jessica Weatherl; four great grandchildren; two brothers, Jack Brown & wife Doris, Crestline, KS, Cecil Vernon Brown, Crestline, KS; two sisters, Geraldine Umphenour, Blue Springs, MO, Hazel McGrew & husband Gary Columbus, KS; many loving nieces, nephews and friends.

Funeral will be at 2:00PM, Thursday, October 20, 2011 at Humphrey Chapel. Brother Larry Pettus will officiate. Burial will be at Rest Haven Memorial Park in Russellville, by Humphrey Funeral Service. Full military honors will be provided by Rogers Rye Post #2283 of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. Visitation will be from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm, on Wednesday, at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to the Russellville Senior Centers, Meals On Wheels, 1010 North Rochester, Russellville, AR 72801.

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