Ronald Lee Brown

Ronald Lee Brown was born in Blackwell, Oklahoma in 1945. He attended Oklahoma State University for undergrad, but he later traded his orange fencing gear for red when he went to Oklahoma University (OU) for medical school. He married the love of his life, Jerry Lynn Brown, August 29, 1965.

A beloved friend and doctor, Ronald worked as an anesthesiologist at St. Francis, Wesley Medical Center, St. Joe, and Kansas Surgery and Recovery. He was known for his calm demeanor and his steady hand.

He was an incredible husband, father, grandfather, friend, brother, son, doctor, mentor, and coach.

In his free time, he explored the seas and rivers of the world for fish. He loved to travel to visit his family in Colorado and Florida. He would rarely be seen without a Starbucks coffee in his hand and would venture out in the worst of weather to get his Grande Hazelnut Latte.

Ronald was passionate about sports his entire life, coaching all of his own kids. He was also a diehard fan of Wichita State University (WSU) and OU athletics.

On July 6, 2022, Ronald Brown passed away, surrounded by his family. He is survived by his children David Brown (Melinda), Kim Dean (Scott), Tracy Minette (James), and Matt Brown (Kelsi); grandchildren Emily, Ashley & Ryan Brown, Hunter & Tanner Minette, Chase & Leila Brown; sisters Diana Waters (Charlie) & Kerry Brown; and his dog Boomer.

He is preceded in death by his mother, Kathleen Thompson; his father, Dwight Brown; and his wife Jerry Brown.

Ronald will be dearly missed by family and friends. Services will be held on Saturday, July 9th (3:00pm Viewing/4:00pm Memorial) at Lakeview Funeral Home and Cemetery.

(THE FOLLOWING IS RON'S SERVICE IN PRINT)

“A LIFE FULL OF GOALS”

RONALD LEE BROWN

Lived Life April 2, 1945, through July 6, 2022

CELEBRATION OF LIFE SERVICE

Lakeview Funeral Home | Wichita, KS

4 PM, Saturday, July 9, 2022

EULOGIST

Celebrant Cyndi Mendoza-Jones

Let us open with a blessing:

Lord, in order to rely on Your strength, we need to get into Your presence. Let us bring a moment of quiet into this space, bring You close to us and feel your hands surround us with your strength as we journey through these next minutes, hours, and days. We ask that you bless all which are here and all that have known Ron to have peace upon each of us as we celebrate today and honor your name. Amen

Wichita State’s Hail Wichita Fight Song comes on in background

(NEXT PART IS READ IN A GAME ANNOUNCER TONE OF VOICE)

Good morning sports fans and welcome to game day at Lakeview Arena, here in Wichita. What a moment, everyone is on their feet, the stands full of yellow and black and flags are flying back and forth supporting their team. Now it’s time to rock and roll as this Wichita State team gets ready to exemplify the spirit of the game. I’m your announcer, Celebrant Cyndi Mendoza-Jones, and honored to give this tribute as there is history to be made today as our bench is full. Looks like the team is set, the referee is holding the ball at center court, it’s time for the tipoff and fans, what a game we have ahead.

(MUSIC FADES OUT)

What better way to start his celebration than with the feeling of being at a game? On behalf of the family, thank you for joining us as we honor Ron, Dr. Brown, Doc, or maybe you even know him by Brownie. Today we play a game of sorts where we’ll hear the crowd roar when a good memory is caught. We’ll run back and forth down the court, feel the impact of a few fouls, and like life, each game has a beginning and an end. The game horn has sounded and the clock is ticking down. Folks, I’d say, it’s “game time.”

After the tipoff, the ball is in play and the center holds at middle court for the play to begin. Once the time comes, the ball is handed off and, in our game, these initial players are Kathleen and Dwight Brown of Tonkawa, Oklahoma where Kathleen lived with her mother while Dwight was away for military duty in the 429th Army Air Force. Kathleen attended classes at NOJC, Northern Oklahoma Junior College, to be a teacher, while Dwight was gone. After his honorable discharge, he too began classes as well as worked as a house painter, and Formica and tile installer. It was here the pair learned they were expecting and welcomed their first child, Ronald Lee Brown, in the neighboring town of Blackwell, on Monday, April 2, 1945. Three years later the family added to their roster when Ron became older brother to Diana and at 16 years of age, to sister Kerry as well.

Like any college team, you must travel to play, and the Brown family found themselves on the move from Tonkawa to Perry, Oklahoma when Ron was around 5. Not only for Dwight’s work, but also for Kathleen to be closer to OSU to finish school. This home was their arena of sorts, as it’s where they stayed the longest before another move to Ponca City his 11th grade year. But let’s back up, his offensive game really took off in Perry as he enjoyed baseball games in the yard with friends and when he slung the bat a little too hard, it bounced over and caught his sister Diana right in the brow for a game fouling knot on the head. He enjoyed the challenges and adventures of cub scouts, rolling and throwing papers for the national syndicate GRIT, and though it had been all fun and games thus far, there was a heart murmur he had to deal with and a bout of rheumatic fever, when around age 12, that kept him out of school for months. His sister Diana goes on to recall him playing cornet in the band from 6th grade through high school and him being a wrestler where he “Pulled weight many times, to meet his goals.” Perry, Oklahoma, is known for its wrestling program, in fact over the last 50 years, they’ve won 43 national championships. They’ve never had more than 2 years between taking the title. A program he was proud to be a part of.”

Family holidays, such as birthdays, weren’t big events, they were usually small with family and as they got older, friends joined, and mom may plan music, dancing, and fun. Thanksgiving was back to Grandma Kathleen’s in Tonkawa where the ladies all helped cook. Christmas was a live tree with a lit star sitting on top and a note and cookies were left for Santa after the family sat and read scriptures of Jesus’ birth. And once presents were opened on Christmas Day, they’d head over to Uncle Jim and Aunt Thelma’s in Ponca City who devoted themselves to good food and packages wrapped creatively with handmade ornaments on them too. Easter was dressing up and heading to church, where, if the doors were open, they spent a lot of time, yet on this holiday, fun was spent decorating eggs, hunting them, and relishing the chocolate Easter bunny they received each year. And lastly, the 4th of July was in fellowship with 8 other families from church. They joined at one of their homes in the country, where Ron and the others could still hold Roman Candles in their hands and look forward to the roar of the bottle rocket as it lifted-off, whistling with lights trailing, into the sky.

Okay college basketball fans, we know the game runs for 2–20-minute halves. We’ve still got a little time on the clock in this half, so let’s take a time out and check Ron’s highlight reel on the jumbotron as we pause to hear the song “Amazing Grace.”

SONG “AMAZING GRACE” BY ALAN JACKSON

Ron had success on the mat in school as a wrestler and this built his strength to work alongside his father in the summers doing Formica and tile work. He learned what it took to play a full game, work hard, and with this might have brought a little attention from the ladies. There was one in Ponca City. She was really after him, but Ron, he had his eye on her friend, Jerry Brown. He planned study groups, invited her, and it didn’t hurt that they were in band together too. It didn’t take long, they became a pair, and after graduation both went to Oklahoma State University where Ron had plans to be a math teacher. It was here, at the end of their sophomore year, the pair married on August 29, 1965, and while going to school full time, he still worked nights and weekends doing contractor work which supported his family through the rest of his educational career.

Like in high school, Ron took to the mat in college where he kept the demands of speed, anticipation, reflexes, and great mental strength. However, he didn’t do it while donning a singlet, yet while wearing a mask in fencing. He enjoyed his college time and the couple lived in married student housing while finishing school, yet they’d have a small surprise here and there such as the birth of their first child David, born there in Stillwater. He was the smallest of their 4 children, coming in at around 6 lbs. but it didn’t deter Ron as he continued to work and his grades were excellent, so good, after a change from being a math teacher, he was accepted into the pre-med program at The University of Oklahoma or OU where he’d still tell you, “Go Boomer Sooner.” Jerry went on to become a teacher while Ron finished school and it was here, in med school, his mentor was an anesthesiologist, and was the one to change Ron’s mind on career path where he chose to go the same route. But before we can advance down the court, into his career, we must pause for half-time as the couple expects their second child, Kim. She came in at 8 lbs. 15 oz., backwards and upside down. There’s no doubt Jerry and Ron needed a break after this birth. It’d be 6 years before the next Brown arrived, a much-needed break on court plays but the buzzer sounds and it’s time to wipe the sweat and get back for the 2nd half of game play.

Daughter Tracy arrived in 1975 where there was a small stint in Midwest City, Oklahoma before graduation and a move, here, to Wichita, Kansas for a year of residency, followed by another year at the base of the mountains in Salt Lake City. Both before returning to and making Wichita their home. In those moves, there was one more surprise with son Matt, yet they could truly say, he rounded out the team because as they grew, Ron was truly a coach they could always count on.

A brief stay in a rental is where they began on their return to Wichita and it was just down from the home we can perhaps call, “Roundhouse Brown” at 636 N. Armor. This red brick with white trim, ranch style house, is surrounded by large trees and bushes along the front. The backyard is grand and often held a large garden of tomatoes, okra, beets, carrots and more that was tended by Ron and his children who each hold fond memories of their dad. David remembers his father taking him and friends to the park and pushing them on the merry go round. You can almost feel the wind as Kim talks of him pushing her on the tire swing in Utah and the cold air when toboggining in the snow. Tracy recalls them playing in the yard, jumping on the trampoline, and laughter while she and Matt rode around and around on their Big Wheels in the drive. And Matt, like the others recall many times out on the ball fields and him climbing to the top of the fence where you can hear Jerry hollering from 2 fields away for Ron to get Matt down. He was there coaching soccer alongside Gary Bickel and basketball too. Drove next to Kim as she ran, timing her as she fought to win at the mile for state. He was the loudest cheerleader in the stands for golf, tennis, cheer, football, and wrestling; was even the team doctor for one of Matt’s teams too. As a coach they say he was tough yet direct. Knew a good balance and always made sure to build the confidence of his teams.

When not routing on his children or coaching, Ron was the cook. Jerry could make a mean manicotti, but there was his Chex mix, cheese dip, and breakfast on weekends. Wait until you hear this: grits, potato pancakes, corned beef hash, and corn mush, not to mention bean soup with cornbread and stew other times. And like his family before, holidays were a big deal. That takes us to Ron’s turkey with brown rice stuffing which included walnuts, mushrooms, and onions, on Thanksgiving. You could see the smiles on his families faces when they spoke of it and it’s as if they could smell and taste it as they talked. Christmas was a mix of live or artificial trees everyone helped decorate before the angel stood tall on top. The children begged to open presents on the eve of, yet the memory of stockings hung across the fireplace holds strong to this day. Easter was dying eggs and him hiding them for the big hunt. Father’s Day was homemade cards and out to eat at the Candle Club or Crestview for brunch where fish, fried chicken, or steak are his go to favorites. The one holiday that never changed was the 4th of July. Whether at the lake or home, it was filled with fireworks regardless of if Jerry liked it or not. Memorial Day rounds out the holidays with traveling for ball tournaments for the kids or visiting relatives’ graves to place flowers and pay honor.

Guess we can say, he’s made some good plays in life: Wife, career, and children. Let’s make a play of our own as we stop to pay honor to love of family with the song, “Love Without End, Amen.”

SONG “LOVE WITHOUT END, AMEN” BY GEORGE STRAIT

We’re heading into the second part of the last half of play and Ron’s days, they were long. He was often up and gone before most people’s days started as he worked his way from St. Francis in residency, then to Utah, back to Wichita at Wesley Medical Center, then to St. Joseph, where he was a part of the Physicians Surgical Anesthesia Services, before returning to St. Francis with Anesthesia Consulting Services and he rounded out his tenure at Kansas Surgery and Recovery. We downplay his career it seems as he was a president or partner at each place he worked, and notes left from colleagues all say “He was an amazing man who was good under pressure. Had a calmness and kindness about him.” They spoke of, “changing surgery venues just to be under his care because he was that trusted, and his hand was steady and professional and he had no shortage of nicknames, as mentioned earlier, they were, “Ron, Dr. Brown, Doc, and Brownie,” all which you could find in one of the articles where he is named one of the best doctor’s in Wichita for Anesthesia and Pain Management.

His work life was important, yet his family and friends were too as he spoiled his bride with the number of yellow roses that represented each year on their anniversary. On their 25th he surprised her with a new ring, and he thought about buying her the 25th anniversary addition Mustang but we’re not sure if that was more for him than her! She was his partner and she joined him on many work trips to San Francisco, San Diego, Hawaii, California, on cruises and much more. They say his favorite places were probably San Francisco or New Orleans for the sights and people, yet his best adventures were those where he could pop open the lid of a tackle box, push a thumb stop and cast a reel. Fishing trips were made to Stockton Lake, and Big Cedar where he enjoyed the beauty of the outdoors as well as made trips across the nation including Alaska and taking his sons-in-law to Canada too. There was skiing at Angel Fire on Spring Break, and Christmas to New Years was spent golfing in Wigwam, Arizona which is nestled in the West Valley and surrounded by the stunning Sonoran Desert landscape.

I guess you can say, it was a lot of work, fun and games as he enjoyed every minute of every day, yet the best part was still to come and happened when his children grew and made him a grandpa. He loved his in-laws Melinda, Scott, Jamie, and Kelsi and he loved the children they brought into his life too. He was excited when David told him they’re expecting, and to see him holding Emily for the first time was indescribable. When Tracy was in labor with her first son Hunter, the nurse couldn’t get the IV placed, so when she stepped out of the room, Ron placed it himself. The staff returned saying, “You can’t do that,” but his response was, “Why not, I’m a doctor!” Tracy and her family are the only ones to live in town, so her boys, Hunter and Tanner are a little spoiled with movies and park time. He took care of them as if his own, didn’t miss a single activity they were in. However, he made time for the rest too. Emily, Ashley and Ryan, David’s children, got their time when vising here or the grands were up in Kansas City. And Emily, she stayed with him, here in Wichita, while in law school. Matt’s children, Chase and Leila got plenty of time with them in Colorado and Ron, he bought a time share in Florida, where Kim and Scott are, just so the family could take vacations together.

Everyone got their time at WSU games here too. Not just family, but friends as well. He had those who went to basketball: Wynn and Jill Smith and Key Clark. Steve joined him for baseball, and others even watched volleyball with him too. And his favorite line during any game: “Oh, come on blue.” He’d yell it even in if in a glass box where the referee or umpire couldn’t even hear him. He was a fanatic in the best terms for Sooner Football, WSU everything, Royals baseball, and yes, I’ll stand beside him as a star carrying, die-hard Dallas Cowboys fan too.

Well look at that, our time clock has been ticking and the time has flown by as we near the end of the 2nd half. We still have a little time, so let’s wipe off our play board and put some new inspiration down in pictures as we hear the song, “Go Rest High on that Mountain.”

SONG “GO REST HIGH ON THAT MOUNTAIN” BY VINCE GILL

After semi-retirement in 2010, Doc continued doing part-time pain management at Kansas Surgery and Recovery and over the next few years, he’d have some tests himself in which he may have wished he could throw in the towel but honestly, you don’t hear that from him. You see, in 2011, while playing golf with David, Ron experienced some severe nausea, but brushed it off. It wasn’t until later in the year, while in Colorado visiting Matt’s family, when walking at a theme park, he experienced the same symptoms, yet again it was brushed off as altitude sickness. Come to find out, he had an ascending aortic aneurism. Being a doctor, he knew who he wanted to operate on him, and that person was back in Wichita, so upon arrival, Dr. Idbeis, performed double bypass and repaired a valve all while freezing Ron for 4 hours of an 8-hour surgery. He’d lose his voice for 6 months following the trach tube, yet that whisper reverted to full on, “Come on blue,” before you knew it. He passed this test, but not long after, in their home, in 2012, while helping her 99-year-old mother walk down the hall, his bride, Jerry, would have a life event herself and despite his life saving measures, his love passed with him by her side.

If these weren’t causes to walk off the court, I’m not sure what would be, but he didn’t let it slow him nor did his children as they brought him a precious bundle of fur in a black golden doodle appropriately named “Boomer.” He stopped fishing and golfing, yet he didn’t stop living. He still took the grandchildren to movies, attendant their events, took them out to eat and had a walking routine when down to visit Kim in Florida. That was until Covid changed that too, yet he had other hobbies such as you couldn’t throw a newspaper away unless he’d finished the crossword inside. Jamie, his son-in-law may ask, “Can we throw this stack of papers away?” and Ron’s response may be, “Not just yet.” He always loved his cars to be a Volvo, until his most recent BMW which took him on his rounds to Starbucks at Central and Rock, you know it, the one across from Chick-fil-A. He went a few times a day. His morning go-to was a Grande Hazelnut Latte and later in the day it might be a Chai tea latte. He liked to mix it up. He kept in touch with nurse friends by meeting up for lunch on Wednesday’s. He enjoyed TGIF with others, and Bonefish Grill, this was a favorite, especially their pomegranate martini’s. Bet you can guarantee, everywhere he went, they knew his name

(END OF GAME BUZZER HERE THEN WSU FIGHT SONG IN BACKGROUND AND ANNOUNCER VOICE AGAIN)

Well sports fans, what a game we have had here today as the buzzer sounds ending our time on the court. This team, his team, included players that came together in the name of one common goal, to be a part of team Ronald Lee Brown. You all helped get the ball successfully moved down the court and though the other team may have thrown a few fouls along the way, he recovered and threw a few extra free throws adding points on the board with a fantastic wife in Jerry, 4 generous and amazing children and their families, his siblings, grandchildren, and friends.

(MUSIC FADES)

That buzzer, it came out of nowhere, just as his heart suddenly stopped after the heart surgery he had on the 6th. He wasn’t alone, his children surrounded him. And his participation in your life, it won’t end as long as you continue to carry his memory in your game of life. Whether you’re cheering for the yellow and black of WSU, crimson and cream of OU, or your team of choice, each time you put on a jersey or simply raise your voice to acknowledge good teamwork, you’re making another play and keeping the memory of Ronald, Ron, Dr. Brown, Doc, Brownie, alive.

So, continue to carry his legacy forward, and were here to help get that started because as you leave today, you’ll have the option to grab a bag of his favorite Famous Amos Chocolate Chip Cookies, a bobber, a golf ball with tee, or his very own, custom-made crossword. If you really listened today, you’ll know all the answers. His highlight reel is ready, he won the game, scored the most points, and now it’s your turn to hold the ball. How will you keep his memory alive? The balls in your court.

We’ll play the song “Forever Country” as you’re leaving today, but before we go and as our director comes forward, we want to invite you all back to the family home for food and fellowship. We’ll be dismissing the family first so they can head that way, then, as you grab your takeaway of choice from the table by the doors, we’ll have a sign with the address on it for you to put into your GPS. And now, let us close in prayer: Eternal God, we praise you for the great company of all those who have finished their course in faith and now rest from their labor. We praise you for those dear to us whom we name in our hearts before you. Especially we praise you for Ron, whom you have graciously received into your presence. To all of these, grant your peace. Let perpetual light shine upon them; and help us so to believe where we have not seen that your presence may lead us through our years, and bring us at last with them into the joy of your home not made with hands, yet eternal in the heavens; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

SONG “FOREVER COUNTRY” ARTISTS OF THEN, NOW, & FOREVER

PARENTS: Doris Kathleen (Cheek) Thompson; Dwight Walden Brown

SIBLINGS: Ronald Lee Brown; Diana (Brown) Waters; Kerry Brown

MARRIED: Jerry Lynn (Brown) Brown on 8/29/1965

CHILDREN: Ronald “David” Brown 4/22/1967; Kimberly Shawn (Brown) Dean 1/27/1969; Tracy Ann (Brown) Minette 2/2/1975; Matthew Cody Brown 3/19/1977

BELOVED DOG: Boomer

Eulogy written and performed by Celebrant Cyndi Mendoza-Jones | [email protected]