John Wesley Brown
Overbrook - John Wesley Brown, 74, of Overbrook, KS left this earth to start a new journey on Tuesday, August 3. John was born January 26, 1947 in Atwood, KS, first born child of Melvin and Betty (Trail) Brown. John started his childhood in Atwood before moving to Topeka with his family, where he attended Highland Park High School. He was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1966 and remained in the service until 1968. John worked for the State of Kansas for over 45 years in IT as a programmer. Throughout his life, he was known for his daredevil ways, wit and humor; he was always pranking and joking with his friends and family. He had a great love for fire and fireworks, and will always be remembered for his 16K firecracker finales on the 4th of July, which was his favorite holiday. In his spare time, John could be found fishing, reading a western book, working in his yard, watching old westerns and war movies and playing with the kids in his life. John never met a stranger, always stopping to chat with someone he knew, regardless of where he was.
John was preceded in death by his parents Melvin and Betty (Trail) Brown; a granddaughter, Angel Brown; and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins. He survived by his wife (Connie) of the home, his children, Shawn Brown, Mike Brown (Rene) and Kim Brown (Betany), all of Topeka; brothers, Lee Brown (Teresa) and Marion Brown (Carol) all of Topeka; sister, Jody Pellerin (David) of Rockwall, Texas; grandchildren, Tanner Brown, Kaelyn Brown, Zane Riley-Brown, and a granddaughter due in October, all of Topeka; two great grandchildren and numerous nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews; uncle Ray Trail (Rosa) of Atwood, KS; aunts Verlaine Hirsch of Texas, Faye Trail of Minnesota and Ellen Trail of Oklahoma.
The immediate family will have a private graveside service. A come and go Celebration of Life will be held at Our Savior's Lutheran Church Fellowship Hall in Topeka, KS on Saturday, August 14, 1-3. All are welcome and encouraged to attend and celebrate John's life and share in the things that brought him joy; per the family and John's hopes to not further spread COVID, masks will be required.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Shriners Hospitals for Children in memory of John W. Brown. John always had a soft spot for helping children in need, and Shriners Hospitals for Children is near and dear to John's heart because of the tremendous care and services their St. Louis campus provide to his beloved grandson, Zane (John 2.0).