MSgt. John Howk Brown Jr.

John Howk Brown, Jr. was born on August 18, 1946, in Rockport, Indiana, to his parents, John Howk Brown, Sr., and Lena Belle Jones Brown. John, also known as “Johnny”, and “JB,” was the third child born in his family with two brothers, Leonard, and Michael; and four sisters, Barbara, Josephine, Sheila, and Margaret, who would remember him being a very popular kid, playing and excelling in sports, hanging around town, and enjoying the parties. John received his formal education in Evansville, Indiana, as he graduated from FJ Reitz High School. Shortly after graduating, John enlisted in the United States Air Force. While in the service, John continued his education receiving diplomas in the Non-Commissioned Officer Leadership School, Riverdale, California, and Non-Commissioned Officer Academy where he studied Mid-Level Leadership and Management, also in Riverdale. He continued his education at the Air University in Montgomery, Alabama, studying and receiving diplomas in the areas of Senior Leadership and Management, and as an Academy Instructor. He served his country during the Vietnam War and received multiple awards including the Vietnam Service Medal, Distinguished/Presidential Citation, Outstanding Unit Award, Good Conduct Medal (1 silver, 2 bronze), Meritorious Service Medal, Commendation Medal, Small Arms Marksmanship Ribbon, Combat Readiness Medal, Longevity Service Award Ribbon, National Defense Service Medal, Overseas Ribbon - Long and Short, and Training Ribbon, just to name a few. He was a highly decorated Master Sergeant with Top Secret Security Clearance at his time of retirement, who was honorably discharged on November 30, 1989. Following the service, John resumed his education receiving a certificate from the Front Range Community College in Westminster, Colorado in Hazardous Waste Management. In pursuit of his Bachelor of Science Degree, John attended Metropolitan State University as he studied Environmental Science/Land Management. John’s accomplishments speak for themselves; however, in a snapshot, we can look at his professional career. With dedication to his country, John served as the Wing and Base Squadron Safety NCO in Cheyenne, Wyoming, performing all accident investigations. He prepared aircraft loading plans, devised cargo handling, and restraint techniques in Fairfield, California as the Primary Loadmaster C-5 Galaxy, he later became the Supervisor of Loadmaster. After retiring from the military, John worked for a short time as an Environmental Technician for Ecology and Environment and then became the Lead Physical Science Technician for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in Denver, Colorado, where he participated in the field investigations concerning criminal violations and he was a primary member of the agency’s Counter-Terrorism Response Team. With all of these achievements, his family was most important to him. As a young adult, John met Shirley Jean and would eventually marry her in 1966, in Phoenix, Arizona. To this union, two children were born, Odis Wheaton and Kimp Brown. This marriage was later dissolved. Years later, John engaged in a relationship with Kathryn Hanson. They met in Longville, Minnesota Cheyenne, Wyoming, and married in November December of 1977. To this union, two more children were born, Danielle Brown and Kristine Brown. John was also the proud father of Nathon Parker. John loved his children and applauded them on their continued success. John’s children remember their dad putting the family in the truck going on road trips for summer vacations and holidays. As they got older, they would enjoy football games, sharing stories, food, drinks, joking about each other, and just enjoying their time together as a family. Later, John was blessed with seven grandchildren, Marquese Wheaton, Markus Wheaton, Tyerra Cast, Markye Wheaton, Hunter Brown, Kodi Brown, and Alaya Dotson, who lovingly called their grandfather, “Papa.” The grandchildren were an added source of joy and love. Everyone recalls how John’s face would light up when he went to see his grandsons play NFL football on Sundays; the hotel stays with the team and hearing 70K people cheer as their names were called out. These were truly cherished moments. John loved horses. He owned three and his favorite was named, Stormy. While stationed at Warren Air Force Base, John was a member of the Calvary. He would ride horseback with his battalion on the annual Frontier Days Parade. He also had a passion for Nascar and worked with a pit crew for a period traveling around to races across the country. He was an avid bowler and traveled with his team, competing in many tournaments. His bowling team nickname was, “Table Spoon.” He has collected many trophies and prize money along the way. John enjoyed sharing this passion with his grandkids, as well. John was a longtime member of the State Burners MC, where he served as the Chapter President, and National Sargent of Arms. His nickname within the organization was “Boogey Man.” John was also a Mason with the Prince Hall Lodge. John always had his television tuned to the news. He never missed “60 Minutes,” and if the channel changed, he was watching sports or Nascar. His closest friends, Robert Eddy, Phil Spano, Hobert Sidney, "Big Red", "Kaveman", "Borderline", "Fudge", and "Real Wun," will always remember John’s infectious personality, contagious laugh, and his huge smile. John had a knack for always making people feel loved, respected, and part of his family. His crazy sayings included him always calling someone a “Jive Turkey" or "It’s time to let my belly know my throat ain’t been slit yet," when he was hungry, and "In a minute," rather than saying goodbye. John was truly loved by all who knew him. John was preceded in death by his parents, father, John Howk Brown Sr., and mother, Lena Belle Elizabeth Reed; his sister, Sheila Brown; and brother, Michael Brown, Sr. On November 10, 2021, in Denver, Colorado, John accepted his eternal assignment and entered into rest. He leaves a legacy of tremendous accountability with his children, Odis "Mark" (Marcella) Wheaton of Phoenix, AZ, Kimp (Mindy) Brown of San Diego, CA, Danielle Brown of Killeen, TX, Nathon (Leona) Parker of Cheyenne, WY, and Kristine Brown of Denver, CO; his siblings, Barbara Green, Margert "Peggy" (Phillip) Gilbert both of Evansville, IN, Josephine Fisher, Leonard (Patricia) Brown both of Cheyenne, WY; his grandchildren, Marquese (Tia) Wheaton, Markus (Catherine) Wheaton, Tyerra (Fabian) Cast, Markye Wheaton all of Phoenix, AZ, Hunter Brown, Kody Brown of San Diego, CA, Alaya Dotson of Killeen, TX; nine great-grandchildren, all of Phoenix, AZ; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives, and many friends.

MSgt. John Howk Brown Jr.

August 18, 1946 - November 10, 2021