An American Hero Passes
For 98 years, John Brown served his family, his country, and his God with grace, honor, patience, and generosity.
As a career military officer, he joined the Army shortly after Pearl Harbor and quickly signed up for the Army Air Corps to fly airplanes. After 200 hours of thrill packed flying adventures, he was assigned to the 8th Air Force to fly B-24s from England. His Dday assignment was to bomb Germany in support of the landing forces. He survived 27 missions and earned the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Air Medal x 3 for bravery in combat, plus numerous other service medals. After a short stint as an instructor pilot, he was assigned to Air Sea Rescue in England flying rescue missions in the North Sea and English Channel. His Air Force career included 21 years, 45 moves, tours and visits to The Pentagon (Washington DC), England, Germany, Italy, Spain, North Africa, France, Guam, and Puerto Rico. After retirement in 1964, he settled in Montgomery Al., where he owned car washes and laundromats, while honing his bass fishing and investing skills.
In 1994, he and his wife Sue, moved to the Air Force Village in San Antonio, where they enjoyed the company of other retired Air Force officers. He was active in his church, volunteered at Wilford Hall Hospital, and traveled extensively across America. John and Sue were married for 53 years until her death in 1996.
He remarried in 1997 to a former Corning, IA high school classmate, Madeline (Hughes) Alcorn. They spent part of each year in San Antonio and in Walnut Grove, MN. , eventually settling in Albert Lea, MN. During the 17 years they were married, they enjoyed Madeline's large family that included her four children, the 9 grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren.
After his second wife's death, John returned to Texas in 2014 to be with his son and daughter in law in Kingwood, TX. He enjoyed the warmer Texas climate, the good food, Wings Over Texas, and the many friends and family that visited often.
John had a quiet demeanor that hid his generosity. He funded a scholarship program for his hometown high school students, gave memorials to his church, supported numerous causes such as the Salvation Army, Boy Scouts, St. Jude's, various community programs and individuals.
He is survived by his son Barrett Lee Brown, daughter-in-law Mary C. Brown, grandson Nick Brown, granddaughter Kristen L. Horabin (Christopher) and great grandchildren, Campbell , Kinley and Connor .
His second family includes Madeline's children J. Steven Alcorn (Cynthia ); Patricia Alcorn; Mary Helen Alcorn (Bee Thienprasit); Anne Marie Spates (Scot); and their offspring, including 9 grand children/step-grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren/step-great grandchildren.
Following a memorial service in Kingwood, his final resting place will be in the National Cemetery in San Antonio.
Donations or memorials may be made to the Salvation Army or St. Jude's Hospital.
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.8.18