Brown, Gerald, age 72 of Maple Plain, MN, died peacefully on Oct. 31, 2017. He was predeceased by his parents Win Brown (100) and Kathryn Brown (99) earlier this year. He is survived by his loving wife of 50 years, Lynda (Parry), daughter Heather and son-in-law Steven Wilkens, granddaughter Brynn, sisters Judy Brown and Susan (Ray) Johnson, sister-in-law Janice (Lars) Gronmyr, brothers-in-law John (Julie) Parry, Ted (Lidia) Parry, and Bill (Jamie) Parry, and many nieces and nephews, extended family, many friends, and his beloved pets Cassie, Candy, and Kobe. He was devoted to his many cats, dogs, and horses. Gerry grew up in Bloomington, MN, had a large Minneapolis Star paper route, and was very involved in his school band program playing the trumpet. Gerry had a romance with the river at an early age and throughout his career. Gerry built his own boat at age 14, and worked at a marina for a number of years. He was a 3rd chef on the railroad, and a land surveyor before his graduation from the University of Minnesota in 1969 with a degree in business. He was a proud member of Phi Kappa Psi, and served in the U.S. Army Reserve. Gerry started working for Cargill as a general trainee in 1969, later joining Cargo Carriers Division (CCI) as a towboat and barge dispatcher. Gerry was appointed assistant vice president in 1980, and became President of CCI in 1995. Gerry was a long time Cargill executive retiring in 2004 after serving as the president of Cargill's Marine business for many years. Not only did Gerry serve as Cargill's leader in the marine business, he was active in industry leadership, serving on the boards of Waterways Council, American Waterways Operators, and the Upper Mississippi Waterways Association. He chaired the Inland Waterways Users Board, an advisory panel to the administration on waterways infrastructure. Gerry played an instrumental role in the early success of Living Lands & Waters, a non-profit organization working on cleaning up America's rivers. Gerry is known for his keen wit and wonderful sense of humor, as well as his passion for the business and the people who serve within it. Family and friends are welcome to celebrate Gerry's life at an open house on Saturday, Nov. 25, from 11 am to 3 pm at Windsong Farm Golf Club in Maple Plain. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the Minnesota Humane Society (845 Meadow Lane N., Golden Valley, MN, 55422). Our thanks to the doctors, nurses, and staff at Park Nicollet, Methodist Hospital, and NC Little Hospice for his wonderful care.
