Thomas Kelly Brown

Tom Brown

Tom Brown, 67, passed away at his home in rural Unionville, MO, on Easter Sunday, March 31, 2013, after a brief battle with cancer.

Thomas Kelly Brown was born in Centerville, IA, on June 13, 1945, the son of Charles Olen and Margaret Faye (Kelley) Brown, who preceded him in death. He was reared in the Kelleyville area of eastern Putnam County, MO, and graduated from Unionville High School in 1962. After briefly working on the farm and in the coal mines of Putnam County, he moved to Kansas City, MO, where he lived and worked for ten years. Tom moved back to Putnam County in 1972 and worked in the coal mines.

Tom married Sandy Entriken at Omaha Baptist Church on August 9, 1975, and she survives at home. He moved to Kentucky in 1978 where he worked on highway construction and in the coal mines. Tom was ordained as a minister of the gospel by Word of Faith Bible College in 1985. He served as associate pastor at Calvary Worship Center. Preaching and being a pastor became his first love. Tom moved back to Putnam County in 1989 where he worked as a custodian at Putnam County R-1 Schools for eight years. He worked at the Putnam County Care Center in Unionville for about ten years and then worked briefly in maintenance at PSF before his retirement. Tom served as pastor at Stringtown Christian Church in rural Putnam County for 19 years until his health forced him to resign. He loved the Lord and was a man of deep faith and personal convictions. He enjoyed hunting and fishing and liked to sing and play his guitar, often playing and singing for the residents at the Care Center in Unionville.

In addition to his wife, Tom is survived by four sons and four daughters: Kelley Brown and wife Darla of Browns Mills, NJ; Brian Brown and wife Ragena of Chariton, IA; Robert Stewart of Des Moines, IA; Richard Stewart and wife Mary of London, KY; Teresa Robbins and husband Dennis of Chillicothe, MO; Avonna Widner of London, KY; Anita Kraviec and husband Jay of Hatton, ND; and Marcelinda Kozura and husband John of Denton, TX. Seventeen grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren also survive as well as two brothers, Robert Brown and wife Roberta of Independence, MO; and Ken Brown of Unionville, MO; and three sisters, Connie Bland and husband Dean of Newton, IA; Sheri Blankenship and husband Mike of Jefferson City, MO; and Regina Shepherd of Unionville, MO. Several nieces and nephews also survive.

Tom was preceded in death by an infant sibling, an infant child and four grandchildren.

Funeral services for Tom Brown will be Playle and Jones Family Funeral Home in Unionville, MO, at 10:30 Thursday morning, April 4, 2013, with visitation at the funeral home from 6:00 – 8:00 Wednesday, April 3. Bro. Dan Porterfield will conduct the services with recorded musical selections “Someday Soon,” “In the Garden,” and “Serenaded by Angels.” Casket bearers will be Eric Veach, Rick Bland, Matthew Shepherd, Kevin Carr, Kendall Ross, Trevor Brown, Aaron Brown, and Thomas Widner. Honorary Casket bearer will be Lonnie Brown, Gary Griggs, Calvin Gray, and Bob Hill. Burial will be at the Chapel Cemetery north of Livonia, MO.

Memorials are suggested to the family in lieu of flowers to assist with medical bills. These may be entrusted to the family or with Playle and Jones Family Funeral Home, 709 S. 27th St., Unionville, MO 63565.