Jesse Lester Brown

Jesse L. Brown, 96, of Gardner, KS, formerly of Baldwin City, KS died Saturday, December 12, 2020 at his home.

He was born July 18, 1924 in Ola, AR the son of Dee Lester Brown and Lydia Mae (Crawley) Brown.  Jesse attended schools in Muskogee, OK and was drafted into the military just prior to his graduation.  In the early 2000’s Jesse was a proud recipient of A High School Diploma from Gardner-Edgerton High School.

On March 12, 1943 Jesse entered into service for his country during World War II in the United States Army.  He served almost his entire four years in the European Theater of the war.  He was a member of a tank destroyer battalion under General Patton.  His first active Battle was Normandy on June 14, 1944.  He was also in the Battle of Rhineland, Northern France, and Central Europe attaining the rank of Corporal.  He was decorated with two Purple Hearts, the Bronze Star Medal, Good Conduct Medal, American Theatre Ribbon, and European Theatre Ribbon with five bronze service stars, and the World War II victory Medal.

Jesse worked construction throughout his life with a good portion of that time working for JE Dunn Construction.  That included supervising a major Hospital addition.  That move to Branson lasted twenty years and proved to be a wonderful home experience.

Jesse was a member of Grace Baptist Church, Gardner, KS; Palmyra Masonic Lodge, Baldwin City, KS and the American Legion.  Jesse spent many hours helping other in need during his life.  Jesse and Linda volunteered and served others through the end of Jesse’s life.

He was married to Barb Workman in May of 1947.  Barb passed away in 1961.  In November of 1975 Jesse married Donna Hunt.  She preceded him in death in 2011.  On August 21, 2018 he married Linda Shelley.  She survives of their home.

Jesse is preceded in death by his parents; son and daughter-in-law Jesse Robert Brown and his wife, Becky; his first two wives, Barb and Donna; an infant daughter, Janet Marie Brown; step daughter, Linda Crotchett and his six siblings; Wyatt Cowan Brown, Morris Brown, Jake Cowing Brown, Claud Brown, Flora Mae Johnson, Dora Mae Clark-Wall.

He is survived by his wife, Linda Shelley Brown, Gardner, KS; three children, Janey Wiseman and her husband, Pat, Baldwin City, KS, Bruce Brown and his wife, Sue, Baldwin City, KS, Jeanne Ann Romero and her husband, Chris, Lawrence, KS; two step children, Don Hunt and his wife, Kristy, Olathe, KS, Barbara Farris and her husband, Mark, Pomona, KS; sixteen grandchildren; and eighteen great grandchildren.

Following Covid-19 guidelines graveside funeral services will be 11:00 a.m., Friday, December 18, 2020, at Oakwood Cemetery, Baldwin City, KS.   The service will be live streamed on the funeral home Facebook page for friends wanting to pay their respects.  The family suggests memorials to Harvesters or Douglas County Humane Society.  Memorials may be sent c/o Lamb-Roberts-Price Funeral Home, P.O. Box 64, Baldwin City, Kansas, 66006.  Condolences may be e-mailed to the family through www.lamb-roberts.com.

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