CARBONDALE, Kan. – Richard Leon Brown, 69, passed away Tuesday, March 11, 2025, at his home near Carbondale, Kan. He was born Sept. 12, 1955, in Jesup, Iowa, the son of Lyle and Thelma Eileen (Milks) Brown.
Rich grew up in Iowa, and had lived in Arkansas and Oklahoma before moving to Carbondale four years ago.
Rich was a heavy metal machinist, building industrial air conditioners for Trane Technologies, in Ft. Smith, Ark. He had been a lifelong guitarist and had played in several bands. During his high school days a newspaper article in the Oelwein, Iowa, paper referred to him as baby face Eric Clapton. He enjoyed the outdoors and was an avid fisherman. He was a member of the Burlingame Federated Church. His sister referred to him as the gentle giant.
Rich was married to Pamela Williams in 1976; they later divorced.
Rich was preceded in death by his parents, Lyle and Thelma; two brothers, Dale Brown and Dennis Brown; and his sister, Mary Ohl.
Rich is survived by his ex-wife, Pamela (Williams) Bell; their three daughters, Clorissa Dailey, Sara Brown, and Kari Brown; daughter, Abigale McFarland; two brothers, Larry Brown, of Missouri, and Cordyon Brown, of Ohio; sister, Becky Dillon, Carbondale; and five grandsons and one granddaughter.
Rich was cremated and a memorial service will be held at a later date.
Memorial contributions can be made to the Richard Brown Memorial Fund to defray service expenses, and sent in care of Feltner Funeral Home, 818 Topeka Ave., Lyndon, KS 66451. Condolences can be left at feltnerfuneralhome.com.
