Leroy "Bud" Louis Brown

Bud was born in Lincoln, NE on 17 July 1930 to the late Leroy James Brown and Helen Louis Brown. Bud ran away to the horse races when he was 13, but later received his GED. He attended college classes while in the Army and at Odessa College. He married Mary Elizabeth Conradt on 3 May 1952 in Beatrice, NE. They were married for 62 years, until Mary’s death on 6 October 2014. He married Jane Faber on 30 September 2017 in Durham, NC. They were married for 4 years.

Bud enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1947 at the age of 17. He served almost 3 years in Korea and Japan with the 7th Infantry. From 1954 to 1966, Bud served in various assignments while steadily moving up the ranks from Private to Sergeant, to First Sergeant, to Sergeant Major in Fort Riley, KS, Fort Leonard Wood, MO, and St. Cloud, MN. Bud was promoted to Captain in 1966. He served in Vietnam for almost one full year with the 47th Infantry, 9th Division. During the Tet Offensive in January 1968, CPT Brown and his convoy delivered much needed fuel and ammunition to rifle companies in Bien Hoa City, which was still burning and under enemy attack. Bud retired from the Army in 1968. His military awards include: Combat Infantryman Badge for Korea and Vietnam, Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart, and two Army Commendation Medals. He has been nominated to receive the designation of Distinguished Member of the 47th Infantry Regiment from the Department of the Army in 2022.

He worked as a letter carrier for the U.S. Post Office in Norfolk, NE. He and his family moved to Odessa in 1971 where Bud instructed Army Junior ROTC at Odessa High and Permian High from 1971 to 1984. He worked for the U.S. Post Office again in Odessa until retirement in 1998.

He was active in both the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars. He loved HORSES! and the race track. At the Quarter Mile Farm in Odessa, he and Mary raised thoroughbreds and quarter horses, cows, pigs, dogs and barn cats. His horses raced in NM, TX, LA and Mexico. He enjoyed pheasant hunting in NE and even dabbled in gold prospecting and coin collecting. After his final retirement, he became a wonderful cook and cake baker. He and Mary hosted Sunday dinner for the family every single Sunday, until Mary’s death in 2014. He moved to Pittsboro, NC with Jim and his wife, Stephanie, in 2015. He met Jane Faber at dance classes at the Senior Citizens club and they married in 2017. Bud recently told Jim that he had lived a wonderful life and loved two wonderful women. He adored his grandchildren and great grandchildren and was always excited to attend baseball games, golf tournaments, swim meets and other activities. He was a lifelong fan of Nebraska Football!

Bud is survived by his wife: Jane Faber Brown of Durham, NC; son: James Lee Brown and wife Stephanie of Pittsboro, NC; step-son: Bob Faber and wife Elizabeth of Singapore; step-daughter: Sarah Cameron of Durham, NC; grandsons: Christopher Brown and wife Meredith of Durham, NC, Chris Clark and wife Mandy of Odessa, Jarrod Clark of Odessa, and Zac Cameron of Durham, NC; granddaughters: Kelley Brown Little and husband Bobby of Prosper, TX, Amy Rathjen Bell and husband Landon of Odessa, Taylor Cameron of Durham, NC, Noel Faber of Singapore and Nadia Faber of Singapore; great grandsons: Ryan James Little of Prosper, TX, Cameron Clark of Odessa, Logan Turner Brown of Durham, NC and Brentley Bell of Odessa; and great granddaughters: Karson McKenna Little of Prosper, TX and Evelyn Elizabeth Brown of Durham, NC.

Bud is preceded in death by his wife: Mary Elizabeth Conradt Brown; daughter: Barbara Jean Brown Rathjen; parents: Helen Louis and Leroy James Brown; brother: Jerry Brown; and sister: Amy Gayle Clausen.

Funeral services will be held at 2 PM on Wednesday, 10 November 2021 at Pleasant Hill Baptist Church in Pittsboro, NC. Interment will be at Sunset Memorial Gardens in Odessa. A memorial graveside service will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, the family wishes you consider making a memorial donation in Leroy Brown’s honor to Cora Food Pantry, 40 Camp Dr, Pittsboro, NC 27312.