Brown, Richard Junior

Richard Junior Brown, 73, of Marion, died Wednesday, June 16, 2010, in his home surrounded by his family. Services will be 11 a.m. Saturday, June 19, at Christ Community Church in Marion. The Rev. Chad Jennings will officiate at the service. Interment will be at Forest Chapel Cemetery, rural Anamosa. Friends may call starting at 9 a.m. Saturday at the church.

Thoughts, memories and condolences may be left at

Surviving are his wife, Verlynne, of 51 years: two daughters, Virginia Chavez of Cedar Rapids and Julie (Jerry) Brandt of Central City; three brothers, Leo (Jan) of Bullhead City, Ariz., Larry (Karen) of Cedar Rapids and Allen (Pat) of Cedar Rapids; seven grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren, with one on the way; two aunts, Wilma Frantz of Anamosa and Catherine Jennings of Cedar Rapids; two uncles, Willis Richardson of Cedar Rapids and Herbert Richardson of Marion; two sisters-in-law, Ardyce (Paul) Port of Marion and Deloris Jones of Tucson, Ariz.; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and mother- and father-in-law, Edman and Virginia Vernon.

Richard Junior Brown was born Jan. 7, 1937, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, the son of Richard and Nellie (Richardson) Brown. Richard and Verlynne Vernon were united in marriage on June 29, 1958, in Martelle, Iowa. Richard worked for National Oats in Cedar Rapids for 19 years as a sheet metal worker, then later for Quaker Oats in Cedar Rapids for 25 years.

He was a member of the Cedar Rapids Eagles club, Cedar Rapids Sheet Metal Union, Good Sam Camping Club, and several bowling leagues. He was church custodian for the past few years. He enjoyed hunting, camping, fishing and bringing the best out of everyone near him, but the thing he treasured most was the time he was given to spend with his family and friends. He will be missed dearly by those who knew him best.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the family.