Leonard Brown

Leonard George Brown, Sr. A Builder of Family Leonard George Brown, Sr., 81, died peacefully in Columbia, Missouri, Friday, September 21, 2007, with his loving wife by his side. Born May 6, 1926, in Tiffin, Iowa, to Everett Clay and Mamie Pearl (Shepardson) Brown, Leonard was one of six children. To defend his country during World War II, he joined the U.S. Navy while in high school and served on the USS Rudyard Bay as a radarman third class in the Pacific Ocean. On August 24, 1946, he married the love of his life, Patricia Phillipina Chicilli, at St. Anthony's Catholic Church in Des Moines, Iowa, and raised seven wonderful children. A valued TV technician at Sears in Iowa City, Leonard enjoyed bringing the magic of television into homes throughout southeastern Iowa. He later moved to Oxford, Iowa, for his second time to own and operate Brown's TV & Appliance Store, servicing many families with bottled gas throughout the Oxford countryside. He was also the Commander of the American Legion in Oxford. After two years, he moved his family to Texarkana, Ark., and became a leading electrician technician at Cooper Tires, where he made many friends and retired in 1988. "Brownie," as he was known, was always serving others and readily participating whenever needed. As such, he became a Grand Knight of the 4th Degree with the Knights of Columbus at St. Edward's Catholic Church. Leonard was an active builder, having constructed his own home in Tiffin and making additions to his homes in Oxford and Texarkana. His hobbies centered on building things and making life better for those around him. Never wanting to be "an ol' stick in the mud," his dry wit and perceptive one-liners instantly charmed those around him, especially in his backyard where talk, music and laughter with family and friends often went late into the evening. His love for driving took his family on numerous Sunday drives and on vacations throughout the West and South, sleeping overnight at roadside parks, where loud trains and pesky skunks were always waiting to make memories. A devoted father, Leonard built a solid family of seven children and loved traveling to see them succeed in their lives. He gave each of them a sense that everything would be all right because he was there, and he prepared his children to be contributing adults, as he was. With his wife, he instilled in them lifelong values, such as a strong work ethic, common sense, persistence to work through tough situations, honesty, treating others right, self-reliance and a healthy sense of humor. He was Preceded in death by his parents, three brothers and his dear sister. Leonard is survived by his wife, Patricia; his children, Leonard, Jr. and wife Cecilia of Utah, Michael and wife Patricia of Minnesota, Robert and wife Sharon of Texas, Rebecca of Michigan, Timothy and wife Deborah of Utah, Mary of Missouri, and Jane Elsken and husband Damian of Arkansas; twenty-nine fabulous grandchildren and four cheery great-grandchildren. The family thanks the wonderful medical specialists at the Harry S. Truman Memorial Veterans' Hospital in Columbia, who lovingly cared for him. A private service will be held at a later date for the family. Cremation was under the direction of Allee-Holman-Howe Funeral Home of Camdenton. Memorial donations may be made in honor of Leonard G. Brown at Citizens Bank of Eldon and Versailles. A memorial fund is also established for Leonard G. Brown under the name of Mary Elizabeth Brown at Central Bank of Lake of the Ozarks.