Kenneth Charles Brown was born September 22, 1923, in the town of Paradise, Pennsylvania. He was raised on a farm with a large family.
At the age of 19 he entered the United States Navy and served as a Coxswain (Cox-T) in the Sea Bees whose motto was “We Build, We Fight.” He served in the 81st NCB (Naval Construction Battalion), the 25th NCB, and the 133rd NCB. These men were part of the WW II Normandy invasion on Utah and Omaha Beaches as well as the Pacific Theater invasion of Okinawa. Ken received medals for his brave service in the European Theater, the Pacific Theater, the American Theater and also the Victory Medal. Ken was honorably discharged from the Navy at the end of World War II and came home to resume life.
He met Mary Grace Wenger a few years after returning from serving his country and they were married December 30, 1950. Ken lived most of his married years in Florida with his family. He was a generous, loving man who remained mostly quiet about the war time service, but once in a great while he would open up and tell stories to his family. He never missed a day of work in the 63 years of working in civilian life. People liked him and he loved people. He loved his family , especially his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Ken went home to be with Jesus on January 26, 2014. He is survived by his wife Mary G. Brown and their children Darryl Wenger and Barbara Nordstrom, brothers, Emory Brown & Adam Brown and their families. He was the best father and grandfather that ever lived and we will all miss him.
Uncle Ken was a super hero and we loved him so much. Aunt Mary we love you too, and pray God’s peace and comfort to surround you. To my cousin’s and extended family we are praying for God’s blessing’s upon you all in the days ahead.
My Paup was a great man and Grand Father. He raised me and my sister as his own and gave us a great childhood that anyone would be thankful for. He was a man of few words but had some of the best one liners I have ever heard. He was a steady rock in our lives and very committed to God and Family. He was brave and dedicated to his job. He served his country in WWII and never once complained about having to do it. He lived a good and fulfilling life in Pennsylvania and Florida. He loved a great meal and knew where all the good restaurants were. I will miss his laugh and all the good times with him around the table playing scrabble and uno. I love you Paup and will see you again soon.
I loved Paup like he was my own grandfather, he was kind hearted and fun loving. He put God first in his life and was an amazing example to his family. I will miss him, his sense of humor, his conversations and mostly his physical presence in my life. He is now in the house His Father has prepared for him. I miss you but will see you there. I Love you Paup.
My prayers are for peace and comfort for each of his family, I love you all so much.
To my dear grandfather, I will always remember you as the fun-loving, stable, and kind. It was my pleasure to have you live in my home the last year of your life -you had so many of us in your home as I was growing up! Jesus called you home to be with Him and I can’t wait to see you again in Heaven. I love you and all the memories you gave us.
I was seven years old when I met Ken Brown, Called “Brownie” in those days. My mother was planning to marry Ken, and we were in need of the love and stability he would bring to our lives. My biological father had abandoned my mom, brother and me. Pop raised us like his own without ever casting up our sad plight or making us feel like he did us a favor. He was kind, gentle and trustworthy. I hold too many memories to be reflected here, but I want you to know how deeply I appreciate what Ken Brown did for me personally. He was the best father and I am happy that I made sure he knew it. Don’t fail to tell your family what they mean to you … you may miss thee golden opportunity if you don’t. I asked the Lord for the honor of being with him when he breathed his last breath, and that is exactly what happened. Pop is with Jesus now, and I wouldn’t wish him back here. I loved him very much and miss him.
Barb, so sorry your dad had to leave you, but so glad to know he is in Heaven!!! We love and miss you and Don. One day we’ll make it down to see you.
So glad we had the opportunity to meet Pop. He was a great guy and I’m sure he will be sorely missed by all his friends and family.
To his family we are so very sorry for your loss.
Gods Blessings to you all!
My prayers are with you during this time of loss. Because of you, Mary, and Ambassadors for Christ, I will be part of the heavenly family. I will always remember Ken and his encouraging ways.
We were so fortunate to meet “Pops” last October when we visited Florida. We had heard so much about this legend and wondered if, indeed, he was as stated. To our enjoyment, he was a joy to behold. He will rest in peace now with the Lord. We had no doubt where his heavenly home would be.
We pray for God’s comfort and blessings for all the family!
Will really miss PoP, spent many hours helping him cook at the camp, what a joy. Also enjoyed the many family gatherings. Mary you are in our prayers and I know PoP is happy with Jesus. Love you all, Ed and Brenda Fleming
I first met Ken and Mary Brown in 1978 as they were neighbors of Joe and Nancy Perdue. I always called him “Pop”, especially after Heather Perdue was born. He was so protective of Heather and called her “Pussycat”. I’ll see you in heaven one day Pop and I know that you are walking and talking with Jesus. However, you will be greatly missed here on earth but leave great love and memories with all of us.
From Gary: I praise the Lord for our friendship since 1953, the year I became the pastor of Boehms Methodist Church in Willow Street, PA. It was a privilege to have you, Barbara, and your brother Buzz in the Youth Fellowship, and to have Mary as one of the group’s advisors. My first wife Audrey, who died in 2007, loved you kids, your mother and your “Pop,” Ken. He was steady as the Rock of Gibralter, and as gentle and kind as Jesus Himself!
From Joy: Soon after our marriage in 2010, I came to know that my husband, Gary had some very special friends in Florida…Ken and Mary Brown and their family! Before too long, I got to know you also, and I fell in love with you, Barbara, and with you, Mary. I’m sad for your loss, but also I rejoice in Ken’s victorious entry into Heaven!
Plain and simple, everyone he ever met loved Pop, yes everyone. The only thing he ever complained about was politics, he loved Fox news. He was a wonderful person, but most of all the best father anyone could have. He came into our lives when my sister Barbara and I where 8 and 12 years old, and trust me we were a hand full. He provided a wonderful home and a great life for us. Pops favorite thing, especially in his later years was a good meal and I was blessed to feed Pop his last meal on earth. God bless you Pop, see you before too long.
I met Dad when I was 15 years old, he have been a dad to me since then, I have always known him to be kind and gentle Dad and mom open their door to me and my husband Clarence and Ki
I met Dad when I was 15 years old, he have been a dad to me since then, I have always known him to be kind and gentle Dad and mom open their door to me and my husband Clarence and my kids and they have always been their for me and my family and the memories we have of them I will remember for the rest of my life. rest in peace Dad we love you and will miss your loving and kind presence.
Ken was a good man. He loved his family and served his country with honor and dignity. He was a good friend and brother to my father Adam and Uncle Emory Brown. It was nice to see Ken and his family together with the other Brown family members at our Florida Brown Reunion the past several years. I know he and Mary enjoyed those family times and knew he looked forward to them. It was nice to meet the other members of his family. I could see his pride in his family and his love for Mary. Our deepest sympathies and condolences on behalf of Adam, Eve, Kim and Jere Brown.
Rest in Peace Ken
Deepest loss which will be felt by everyone who knew Dad. He really was a wonderful person, always cheerful and smiling. He loved his family and friends. My family is very proud to have known him. Deepest and sincerest sympathy to all. Now he rests peacefully, we must all remember him and live our lives God’s way.
Paup, I am so grateful to you and Nan for introducing me to the truth of Jesus Christ. Knowing Him has changed my life. I know you prayed for me growing up…thank you. Our last visit together was something I will never forget. You have been a wonderful example of Christ to me throughout my life. Thank you.
You chose love over everything and encouraged others to do the same. Leaving your legacy of love for others to follow, because you know that nothing else really matters if we don’t have love.
(1 Corn. 13:13b, but the greatest of these is love)
Thank you for being a wonderful Grandpa to me. I love you, Paup.
Papa Brown. You were a loving, kind Grandfather to me, my brothers and sister when we moved here to the USA. You opened your home to us and showed us so much love. Thank you for being the sweet wonderful person that taught us about love and kindness. Rest in peace.
Love,
Cindy Ford.
Grandpa Brown. Thanks for welcoming us into your home and your heart. Thanks for being so loving and caring. You will be missed. Rest in Peace. Love Natasha Lazere and family.
Pop was a wonderful loving person. Him and Mary “adopted” all of the Perdue family as their own. We had many fun times that will be cherished forever. My prayers are with you Nana Brown I love you. God Bless.
My love and prayers for Mary and your entire family.