Jerry Lynn Browning

Jerry Lynn Browning was born February 17, 1935 to Osborn Raymond Browning and Ola Mae (Davis) Browning in Quitaque (Briscoe County) Texas, and passed away May 31, 2026 after an extended battle with lung cancer. Jerry was born during the Dust Bowl and the Great Depression, to parents who were farmers. Even though he was born during difficult times, Jerry was eternally optimistic, always offering kind, steady leadership throughout his life.

When he was six, Jerry and his family moved to Amber-Pocasset Oklahoma. Jerry graduated from Amber High School in 1953, and then with honors from Oklahoma State University in 1957. Following graduation, he volunteered for the National Guard and served seven years.

Jerry began his career as the Assistant County Extension Agent in Lexington Nebraska. He loved working with young people, and lead his 4-H teams to a National Championship at the Kansas City Royal in Kansas City, Missouri and Nebraska State Championship in Lincoln, Nebraska.

In February 1959, Jerry’s life changed when he met Loraine Wallace on a blind date. They were married on December 4, 1959, in Lexington Nebraska, and celebrated 66 wonderful years together. Jerry often said “marrying Loraine was the best thing I ever did”. Their marriage was a rare and beautiful example of a lifetime committed to mutual respect and devotion.

In 1963, Jerry began working for the Farmers Home Administration (Rural Development), overseeing loans to the farming community. Driven by his lifetime commitment of service, Jerry was inspired to help farmers and farm communities in need.

In 1980, he transferred to Woodward, Oklahoma, acting as District Director for Rural Development. He and Loraine enjoyed living in Woodward for the next 20 years, retiring to Wichita, Kansas in 2000.

Jerry loved playing board games, Texas 42, and spending time with his family. He enjoyed teaching younger generations games from his childhood, extending family traditions taught to him by his parents. Jerry was also an avid reader. He especially enjoyed reading about history.

Throughout his life, Jerry received joy out of helping those in need, offering his kindness, compassion, and exceptional intellect. He volunteered as an ombudsman for local nursing homes and at Open Door food distribution. He embraced being a mentor for underprivileged youth. A lifelong Christian, Jerry was an active member of the First United Methodist Church of Valley Center, where he taught bible study classes. He was also a member of the Valley Center Lions Club.

Jerry was preceded in death by his parents Osborn and Ola, brother Jim Browning, and brother-in-law Paul Hale. Survivors include wife Loraine Browning of Wichita, daughter Cheryl Savage (Tom) of Loveland Colorado, son Ray Browning (Sara) of Leawood, Kansas, grandson Aaron Loucks of Loveland Colorado and granddaughter Paige Browning of Leawood, Kansas. He is also survived by sister Barbara (Pete) Brand of Grove, Oklahoma, and brother Larry Browning (Victoria Hoch) of Colorado Springs, Colorado, along with many nieces and nephews.

A celebration of life will be held at Lakeview Funeral Home in Wichita Kansas on Saturday, June 13, 2026 at 11:00 am, with pastor Ji Seok Ju officiating. A luncheon reception for guests will be immediately following the service.

If you wish to make a donation in Jerry’s honor, the family suggests the Valley Center United Methodist Church, 560 N. Park, Valley Center, Kansas 67147, or the charity of your choice.