Sgt James Franklin "J.B." Brown

SGT James Franklin "J.B." Brown, 79, Junction City, KS, passed away Sunday, August 28, 2022, at the University of Kansas Medical Center in Kansas City, KS. Cremation will take place. A graveside service with military honors will take place 10:00 a.m. Thursday, September 8, 2022 at the Kansas Veterans' Cemetery.

Mr. James Franklin Brown was born on May 27, 1943 in Croom, MD. James was the youngest son of Thomas P. Brown Sr. and Lucille (Spriggs) Brown’s nine children. He was educated in the Upper Marlboro School System prior to being drafted into the United States Army in 1968.

Mr. Brown honorably served his country for more than a decade, with ten years of Active military service and two years of Reserve service. After completing Basic Training at Fort Bragg, NC, he served tours in Vietnam, South Korea and various other military bases culminating at Fort Riley, KS. Serving as a door gunner while assigned to the 119th Air Assault Battalion (CROCS), Sgt. Brown earned a myriad of commendations to include the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, the Vietnam Commendation Medal, the Vietnamese Civil Action Medal, Overseas Service Bar (2), Good Conduct Medal (2), Drivers Badge, Vietnam Cross of Gallantry w/ Palm (Individual), Vietnam Cross of Gallantry w/Palm (Unit), and Expert Qualification Badges for the M-14 and M-16 .

Upon his honorable discharge from military service, Mr. Brown became a Federal Civil Service employee at Fort Riley, KS. He retired after thirty years of dedicated service to the men and women of the First Infantry Division and Fort Riley. Mr. Brown received many commendations and awards during his Federal Service.

Mr. Brown met his loving and devoted wife, Dorothy J. (Palmore) McKinnis in 1984 in Junction City, KS. The couple were united in marriage on November 17, 1999.

Mr. Brown was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed hunting, fishing and camping. He could be easily relied upon for his quick wit and humor. As his health declined, what he enjoyed most of all was spending quiet time at home with Dorothy listening to music, watching old westerns and horse racing.
He is survived by his wife, Dorothy; daughters Jynell Proctor (Kevin Mack), Brooklyn Park, MD; Angela McKinnis, Virginia Beach, VA; Carolyn Bardolome (Didus), Norfolk, VA; Tanya Hockensmith (Tony), Gettysburg, PA; Chandra Ward (Kansas City, KS); and his sister, Claudia Smith (Landover, MD). He is also survived by nineteen grandchildren, fifteen great-grandchildren, one great-great grandchild and numerous nieces and nephews.

Mr. Brown was preceded in death by an infant son, his mother and father, brothers Thomas Brown, Jr., Leroy M. Brown, sisters Beatrice R. Spencer, Alice Madden, Henrietta Cunningham, Cora Stancil and Pauline Brown.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the St. Jude Children’s Hospital or the Wounded Warrior Project in the name of James Franklin Brown.

The Brown family wishes to thank family and friends for their support, the many expressions of love, caring and kindness. May God continue to bless and keep us all.

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