Reece Brown Jr.

Reece Brown, Jr., 90, of Cape Girardeau, Missouri died Wednesday, July 8, 2015 at The Lutheran Home in Cape Girardeau, Missouri. He was born May 10, 1925 in Oxly, Missouri to Reece Brown, Sr. and Gertrude Camp Brown Reece was a radioman and turret gun loader on the destroyer USS Cushing (DD-797) in the Pacific Theater during World War II. The Cushing fought at the Philippines, Indochina, Okinawa, Iwo Jima and the main islands of Japan. Assigned to picket duty for a carrier group, the Cushing was reportedly the first US surface vessel to view the coast of mainland Japan. He graduated from Arkansas State University with a B.S. and M.S. in Education. He served in several school systems in southeast Missouri, and retired as Superintendent of Schools of Chaffee, MO. He also served as city administrator in Chaffee. He was active in VFW Post 3838 in Cape Girardeau and Elks Lodge #1810 in Chaffee; he also belonged to the American Legion Post No. 0158, Moolah Shriners of St. Louis, Masonic Lodge #615 of Chaffee, and Eagles # 3775. He was of the Methodist faith. He is survived by wife of 43 years, Eleanor House Brown, daughter Deb Cary (Scott) of Albuquerque, NM, stepdaughter Jan Carron (Jeff Davis) of Denver, CO, stepson Scott House (Patti) of Cape Girardeau, brother Rex Brown (Arveda) of Arnold, MO, sisters Alma Dawes of Washington, MO and LaVerta Patrick of Belleville IL, grandchildren Andrew Chelmowski and Jennifer Wesley (Jarrod), great grandchildren Jordan, Lyndsey, Drew and Jarrod and step-grandson John Carron (Traci) and their children Calen and Abigael. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Jean Gatlin, his parents, brothers Luther and Lloyd and sister Lilly Crain. Reece enjoyed travelling, reading, and fishing. He was proud to have participated in the Honor Tour on October 20, 2012. Friends may call 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM on Tuesday, July 21, 2015 at Ford & Sons Mt. Auburn Chapel in Cape Girardeau. Funeral service will be at 11:00 AM Tuesday, July 21, 2015 at Ford & Sons Mt. Auburn Chapel in Cape Girardeau with the Rev. Mark Boettcher officiating. Military honors will be provided by Missouri Honors Team at the funeral home. Interment will be at Missouri Veterans Cemetery in Bloomfield, Missouri. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Shriner’s Children’s Hospital of St. Louis, Cape Girardeau Senior Center, or a charity of choice. Online condolences may be made at www.fordandsonsfuneralhome.com.

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Reece Brown Jr.

May 10, 1925 - July 8, 2015