Cover photo for Mark A. Brown's Obituary
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1947 Mark 2017

Mark A. Brown

October 16, 1947 — July 31, 2017

Marion - Mark Allen Brown born Oct. 16, 1947 in El Dorado, Kansas.  His mother affectionately added his middle name Allen from the hospital where she gave birth to him. A Baby Boy, given to Raymond and Anna Catherine to be raised on the family farm near Burns, Kansas. Seven years later a baby brother, David, came along to add to the growing family. Alongside his Dad and Uncle Byron Brown, he learned how to plant and harvest the crops of wheat and milo, bale hay in the fields, build fence, keep the machinery repaired and running and raise cattle. Of course you have to add to all of this...the daily chores of milking cows, feeding chickens and helping his mother tend to a huge vegetable garden.   Busy home life of summers working from dawn to dusk and sometimes even in the dark.   

     Grade School years spent at Coldcreek School in DeGraff, then, on into High School years at Burns where he made the team and played varsity Basket Ball with the last class to graduate of 11 students in 1965. After a short stint at K-State in Manhattan, he finally convinced his folks to let him leave the campus and come back to the farm. 

    There are some stories of situations that could only be told if you were a farmer. On a hot summer day out in the hayfield while baling, his Uncle James said to him in the calmest way he could.."Don't Move!" Across the toe of his boot crawled a prairie Rattlesnake. It's a sure bet that creature met his demise quickly. In the freezing cold wind, Mark climbed up to the top of the windmill to break the frozen ice from the spinning wheel so the cattle could get water. Somehow the metal ladder broke and there he was stuck in that freezing wind up high with no one in to help in sight. Lo and Behold, along came his Savior..the Mailman.

    While his Dad was a patient at Halstead Hospital he met Beverly and they married on Aug. 11, 1967. They moved from the farm to Wichita where Mark started his career as a plant operator at Vulcan Chemical Company. Their Daughter Delores (none by some as DeeDee and by many as Dee) was born July 30, 1968. No Daddy could have been more proud of his little girl than he was. Then came Shane on Dec. 27, 1970...his little red headed boy. He enjoyed his kids so much and all thru those years of their childhood and his working rotating shift work, he never missed being the best and most attentive Dad that he could be.

    Since his boyhood, he always loved the outdoors as he could grow anything in the earth, where he had no problem getting his hands right down in the dirt. 

     Hunting had always been a big part of his life, as he commented more than once how he enjoyed getting out tromping thru the mud in the fields of milo stalks trying to spot a pheasant or two. One of his hunting buddies remembers him as one of the best quail shots he ever knew. When it came to deer season and Shane was old enough to get his young hunter course behind him, he joined his Dad and cousins Bernard, Larry and Brother-in-law Kenny in the fields to bag a buck or a doe and proudly bring it home for the freezer.

    It is no secret how he loved the Little Red-headed Oklahoma Cowgirl with a voice that would knock your socks off. From the first time he heard "Reba" on the radio in the early 80's, he knew that she would always be his #1 favorite. And that remained so true as everywhere he went, he proudly displayed his "Reba Fan" license plate on his truck. 

    As far as Sports goes he was a #1 KU Jayhawk, KC Royals fan and enjoyed supporting the Shockers. 

    After the marriage ended, Mark wed the love of his life, Suzie, in Dec. 1991. They enjoyed their home and spent many hours and time creating their beautiful landscaped yard and colorful beds of many varieties of flowers. With that being said, Suzie put Mark in the dog house when he ran over part of the flower bed with the mower on accident. Their holiday decorating was a meticulous as if done by a professional. It even made the local evening news for capturing the awesome Beauty of the Season.

    They enjoyed many beautiful places in America thru planned vacations and travels, with one they were especially drawn to as both were lovers of nature...Yellowstone National Park.

     By now, Grandkids started happening in their lives; Nicole, Ericka, Kristen and Courtney. Suzie especially loved shopping and buying clothes and girlie things for them. They attended many of their school programs, activities and events. Family get-togethers were a must not miss event. 

     Sadly, Suzie became seriously ill and her care became a priority to Mark, so after 38 years at Vulcan he retired. She passed away 1 year later.

     Mark made the decision to move to Marion County 1 year later. He bought a beautiful country home outside of Marion and his main focus became his Granddaughters. They were all about school, programs and many sports activities....he didn't miss any of it.

     Living in Wichita all of those years, he left many friends and acquaintances behind. He returned for social times and many visits with several lifelong relationships. He and his special friend, Sheryl Davis, shared many Sundays together, starting with breakfast, attending services regularly at Central Christian Church, shopping, different social events with friends and just hanging out for the day.

    It was in Sheryl's home and in the presence of Shane, that he made the most important decision of his life; His surrender to CHRIST, given whole heartedly.

      Shane married Sara and gave him, instantly, 3 Grandsons and 1 more Granddaughter...Noah, Kaleb, Henry and Audrey.

    As Mark became ill with MS and its progression took more and more of his independence, he moved into the Marion Assisted Living Facility with Dee as his main Caretaker. It continued to hinder his health until, with, his Doctor's advice and the family decision to move him to Parkside Long Term Care in Hillsboro. That came with the Blessing of 3 of the Granddaughters, Ericka, Kristen and Courtney, (all certified trained Caretakers) employed there. How could he have it so good?? Of course, he was the favorite resident of all the staff. Also where he gained what was like another granddaughter to him Jadyn, she meant the world to him. He loved each and every staff that cared for him; he sure did love giving the staff static every day. His care was unquestionably the best. He was watched constantly and anything he needed was taken care of with Love.

    Thru a life well lived, Mark truly gave his all. Anyone who knew him will feel the loss of his steadfastness, goodness, giving heart and trusting loyalty. He loved kids; he never met a stranger, and would help anyone in need. 

Having such a strong, stubborn man fighting through a troubling disease, early morning on July 31, 2017, he was surrounded by his immediate family and close friends knowing he was loved on Earth. Mark finally walked through heavens doors with a new body free of pain with old friends and family meeting him with welcoming arms. Mark loved life and GOD.  His joy would be now to say to any and all of his family and friends, "I will meet you at the gate." We love you Papa!

Dearly cherished, now in Memory...His loving family, Dee, Jeff and Girls, Shane, Sara and children, Brother, David and Lynn and families. Because he faithfully supported their school activities, he was known as "Booster" to his nieces and nephews...Chris and Daneen, Aaron and Tammy, Denise and Jason and families. Large extended family...Aunt Gertrude, Aunt Louise and Uncle Jack and the many many cousins. Last but not least, to mention, his Beloved Cats, Mr. BoJangles and Hallie. 

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Service Schedule

Past Services

Memorial Service

Thursday, August 3, 2017

Starts at 11:00 am (Central time)

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Marion Christian Church

140 Elm St, Marion, KS 66861

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