James E. Brown
James E. Brown, a longtime educator in the Shawnee Mission School District who influenced thousands of young people over the course of his career, passed away at his Overland Park home on December 13, 2011. The loving father of four children and grandfather of two died at age 87.
Jim taught English at Shawnee Mission high schools for 27 years, where he was well known for his innovative techniques and his ability to connect with students of varying skill levels. He was honored as the Kansas Teacher of the Year in 1976 during his tenure at Shawnee Mission West.
Jim earned a bachelor’s degree in education and a master’s in English at Pittsburg State University in Kansas. He served his country as a fighter pilot in World War II, flying P47s and making 85 missions in Italy, France, and Germany. He earned five air medals and was very proud of his service with the 524 Fighter Squadron 27th Fighter Group.
Jim was born on July 21, 1924, in Manhattan, Kansas, and grew up in Council Grove, Kansas. He was a member of Unity Church at 103rd Street and Antioch.
Jim was preceded in death by his loving wife of more than 50 years, Jean, whom he married on August 29, 1946. His attentive care allowed her to spend the last year of her life at home.
A writer and avid reader his entire life, he took up acrylic painting after retirement and produced many beautiful pastoral scenes of the Midwest.
Survivors include four children, Cathy Brown, Mills River, North Carolina, Dennis Brown, Lawrence, Kansas, Teresa Brown, Leawood, Kansas, and Gary Brown (and wife Tamara), Indianapolis, Indiana. Jim will also be missed by his brother, Harold Brown (and wife Lorene), Council Grove, Kansas; sister-in-law Donna Helbig, Minneapolis, Minnesota.; two grandchildren, Duncan Brown, Lawrence, Kansas and Sydney Brown, Muncie, Indiana; numerous nieces and nephews and Pam Nolan, a close friend of the family.
Visitation and Funeral Service
Visitation will be from 2:00-4:00 p.m., Sunday, December 18, 2011, at the Amos Family Chapel of Shawnee. Funeral service will be 11:00 a.m., Monday, December 19, 2011, at the Unity Church of Overland Park with burial in the Resurrection Cemetery.
Memorial Contributions
Memorial contributions may be made to the Unity Church of Overland Park, 10300 Antioch, Overland Park, Kansas 66212.
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Gary–
Your father leaves a wonderful legacy, not least in his sons and daughters. Our condolences to you, Sydney and Tamara, and to your uncle, brother, sisters and to all in your family who are mourning this loss but also celebrating a life well lived.
Love ya too, man.
Jack and Nancy
Your father was a wonderful mentor and friend for many years. He helped the West English Department accept and even embrace change in the most gentle possible way. I have memories of his “Purple Words” memos to the English Department, his great sense of humor, and his ability to select literature that students would actually read and even love.
When I retired from SM in 2001 and went to the community college, I was surprised and pleased to find him sitting in the back of the room at the end of a class period a few weeks after I started teaching there. We had a wonderful talk, and again, I was the beneficiary of his wisdom and insight about teaching at a community college. Corliss Jacobs and I visited your dad about once a year to exchange book recommendations and enjoy good conversations. On one visit, he gave each of us one of his paintings. I look at that painting each day and think about him.
I am sad that this kind friend is no longer with us.
It’s surprising how many times over the years I have reflected on the subtle but still considerable influence James Brown, my teacher, had on my life. I was a senior at Shawnee-Mission East High School in 1959 and “Mr. Brown” was my English teacher, as well as the advisor and mentor to those of us on the school yearbook staff.
He was a witty and engaging teacher with a wealth of knowledge to share that went well beyond our daily classwork. His students of that era recall his teaching skill, but also will not forget his thrilling tales of the Brown’s Studebaker “Chicken Hawk,” or his fighter pilot missions in his always Thurberesque plane that went “pocketa pocketa” (although we sensed the seriousness and danger behind that one).
Through him we learned to write well (or at least better), to understand language and meaning, to appreciate great literature. I learned to enjoy books and writing and eventually became a marketing executive in the publishing business in New York City and an occasional writer of articles and poems, a career path I have always credited to the early infuence of James Brown.
I hope you led a rich and full life, Mr. Brown. You helped make my own life more meaningful and rewarding. Your students remember you.
James Brown, you were, and are, a towering figure in my life.
You inspired me to major in English at Cornell University, then
take a course at Harvard on Publishing. I tried that for three years
but wanted to eat more for dinner than mac and cheese. I began
a career of public service, and received a Master of Arts in Law
from Goddard College. That set off a career working with words,
in the law, in regulations, in policy, and in general communicating
effectively with all levels of the public. My career, mostly with the
National Park Service, was challenging and satisfying and
a lot of fun, enriched with working with outstanding
professionals. Thank you, Mr. Brown.
Judy Hart
I am so proud to have known James Brown. He was my English teacher all the years I attended high school at Shawnee Mission West. My senior year he was voted BEST Teacher in Kansas. I was so proud of that. James had a HUGE affect on my life in innumerable ways.
My life has been richer, had more meaning because of the gentle, easy way James treated me in my youth. He believed in me.
I attend the same church James did and it was such a rare gift to see him again; in a different interaction, as an adult. He has made me a better person. I will miss him terribly. You were the BEST Mr. Brown
Kelly Sturgeon
Dear Dennis and family,
We extend our heart felt sympathy to you and your family in the passing of your father. It appears that your father touched many lives and likewise you my friend are touching many lives in Lawrence Kansas. We must continously thank God for your father’s contribution in the field of education and to all of society. God bless you and your family.
Verdell and Izetta Taylor
Dear Cathy, Dennis, Teresa, and Gary:
While searching the web for other information, I found your father’s obituary. I am very sorry to hear of his passing. I recall about ten years ago seeing your mother’s obituary, and wondered if I should come for the wake, but wasn’t sure if I should, and chickened out. I wish now that I had come.
I have such good memories of playing with you all… riding bikes, playing wiffle ball, exploring the woods!! I read of your father’s military service during WWII and thought how proud you all must have been of him!! I remember my Dad said he had been in school at Pittsburgh State when my Dad was also taking courses there. While I never had your father as my teacher in school, I remember always hearing good about him when other people mentioned his work as an English teacher.
My father, David Christie, died in Dec 2003 at the age of 95 and a half. I’m still living in my childhood home, across the street from where you used to live as kids. If you wish to contact me via email, you may do so.
My thoughts and prayers are with you as you grieve for your father.