Brown, George J.

George J. Brown, 81, of Rock Island, Ill., died Friday, Oct. 5, 2012, at Genesis East Medical Center in Davenport, Iowa. Visitation will be Tuesday, Oct. 9, from 4 until 7 p.m. at Wendt Funeral Home in Moline, Ill. Services will be held 10 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 10, at St. George Greek Orthodox Church, 2930 31st Ave., Rock Island. Burial will take place at National Cemetery on Arsenal Island in Rock Island, with military rites accorded by American Legion Post 246 of Moline.

George James Brown was born in Moline on March 18, 1931, to James and Katherine (Kapandis) Brown. On April 28, 1957, in East Moline, he married Mary G. Soulis, who preceded him in death Jan. 23, 2009.

He retired from the U.S. Navy in 1956 after 30 years of service. George operated Brown's Shoe Barn & Repair in DeWitt, Iowa from 1956 until 1988, and then operated Brown's Shoe Hospital in Moline until his retirement in 1998.

He was a member of St. George Greek Orthodox Church in Rock Island and a lifetime member of Moline American Legion Post 246.

Survivors include daughters, Katherine Jones of Keosauqua, Iowa and Helen Langston of Milan, Ill.; two sons, James Brown of Cedar Rapids, Iowa and Steven Brown of Paducah, Ky.; a sister, Mary Meader of Arizona; and six grandchildren.

In addition to Mary, his wife of 55 years, he was preceded in death by his parents; three sisters; a brother; and a daughter, Georgia Brown.

Memorials may be made to St. George Greek Orthodox Church.

Online condolences may be sent at .

Published Oct. 7, 2012 in The Gazette