John Elmer Brown

Services will be at 3 pm Friday at First Baptist Church Carrollton (2400 N Josey Ln.) with his grandson, Brooks Boyett, officiating. Graveside services at Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery will occur on a later date. Arrangements by Rhoton Funeral Home.

Mr. Brown was born December 5, 1921, in Abernathy, Texas, to John Early and Blanch Brown. He grew up the youngest of six brothers and three sisters, all of whom preceded him in death. His closest childhood companion was his nephew, Earl Brown, who was nearest to him in age. John was known by friends and family as “Brownie.” His father died when he was 16 years old. Rather than finish high school, Brownie dropped out in order to help support his mother. He began delivering groceries for Furr’s Grocery Stores, and displayed this strong work ethic and commitment to providing for his family for the rest of his life.

Brownie was quickly promoted within the Furr’s organization until being assigned to the Furr’s food warehouse, where he met Cleta “Cotton” McLain, a secretary for Mr. Roy Furr. The couple was wed in March of 1942, after which Brownie enlisted into the U.S. military. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps during World War II, from June 1942 to October 1944. He spent most of this time stationed in New Zealand, where he was a member of the Military Police Corps.

After the war, he returned to Lubbock, Texas, and his career at Furr’s. He attained his G.E.D. and served the company for the next 27 years, eventually becoming warehouse manager. During the 1960s, he spent three years in California working in a family construction business, before returning to Texas in 1966. Brownie worked at Affiliated Foods in Amarillo and for Arrow Industries in Dallas, Texas, before retiring in 1986.

Brownie and Cotton joined First Baptist Church Carrollton in 1980, where he served as a deacon. A loving father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, he spent his retirement years pursuing his favorite activities, which included gardening, yard work, golf, and ping-pong. He survived a rare form of laryngeal cancer in 1991, which left him without a larynx and required him to learn esophageal speech, an alternative speaking technique he mastered.

Brownie was preceded in death by six brothers and three sisters. Survivors include his wife, Cleta “Cotton” Brown; daughters Vicki Brown of Carrollton and JoDeane Boyett of Amarillo; plus many nieces and nephews, three grandchildren, and eight great-grandchildren. His family expresses their deep appreciation to his wonderful caretakers at Autumn Leaves of Carrollton.

The family suggests memorials be to Mission 2540 (P.O. Box 20771, Amarillo, TX 79114, mission2540.org) or a charity of choice.