Kathryn Brown

Kathryn was born on January 18, 1920 in Fort Smith, AR to James and Katherine Clawson. She had an older brother and sister and one younger brother, all of which she outlived. Fort Smith was her home and she graduated from St. Ann’s Academy in 1937. Back in those days, women did not have many options for a career. She did not want to be a secretary or teacher, so she attended St. Edward Mercy Hospital School of Nursing and graduated in 1940. After graduation, she moved to Kansas City and worked in a hospital for a few years before she decided to join the Army in 1943. This was during the height of WWII and she served in England. In 1947 she was recalled to active duty and assigned to Tokyo, Japan during the Korean war. It was here that she met her husband and after a brief courtship, 3 months, they were married at the American Embassy in Tokyo on December 11, 1953. They were later married in the Catholic Church at Itami Japan on August 6, 1954. In 1955 she and her husband were re-assigned to Ft. MacArthur, California where their 2 daughters were born. It was at this time that she resigned her Reserve Commission Office and retired from the military. As her husband moved up in the ranks, she was a huge asset to him. She was well known for her dinner parties and welcoming service men into their home while they were away from their families. Their assignments took them to Germany, Ft. Hood, Texas, Quantico and Ft. Monroe Virginia, Ft. Smith and Ft. Chaffee, Arkansas. Even though they moved every year, she loved the military life. In 1970 her husband retired from the military and they settled in Oklahoma City. He passed away in 1974 when she was only 54. Being the independent woman that she was, she filled her time with travel, reading, volunteering, sewing, visiting her daughters and families and staying in touch with friends. Once she felt she could no longer maintain her home in OKC, she decided to move, so in October of 2003, she moved to Bedford and joined the Parkwood Retirement Community. She was never one to sit in her room, so she quickly became involved in activities there from weekly happy hour, daily card playing, scrabble games, day trips, and making many new friends. Whenever a new resident moved in, she was always one of the first ones to stop and welcome them to Parkwood; she was definitely an ambassador for them. It became her new home and she lived there for 10 ½ years. In July of this year, she realized that she needed more help so she made the decision to move “up the hill” to assisted living. Even though her health declined rapidly, she always had a great attitude and appreciated all her caregivers and friends that came to visit. She was fiercely independent til the end. She was a true pioneer. When most women got married and had a family, she joined the army as a nurse, traveled the world and rose to the rank of Captain. When her spouse passed at an early age, she led a full life. When it came time to move, she made all the decisions. When she knew she needed extra help, again she made the decision. She lived life on her terms and has left a legacy of love, joy, friendship and most of all a great attitude. She always told people, “Life is what you make of it” and she definitely made the most of hers. She never felt sorry for herself and even when her health was declining she stayed positive. She will be deeply missed, yet remembered for her positive attitude, gentle spirit, independence and ability to make others happy. Funeral mass at Good Shepherd Catholic Community in Colleyville on Wednesday, December 17th at 1pm. Internment will be at a National Cemetery. Donations to Veterans of Foreign Wars in lieu of flowers. Survivors: Daughter, Becky of Topeka and husband, Randy Daughter, Patti of Colleyville and husband, David Grandchildren: Derek, Amanda, Meagan and Michael Many friends at Parkwood and her Good Shepherd family