Benton Joseph Brown

Benton Joseph (B.J.) Brown, 93, Shawnee, KS, passed on in the early morning of July 9, 2026. Benny was born on July 1, 1933 to Albert and Helen (Hyatt) Brown in Atlantic, IA. He was a lifelong resident of Kansas, living in Shawnee, De Soto and Linwood. Benny first married Joyce Shirley with whom he had a son, (Roy Brown, deceased), and later in life to Ruby White.

After graduating high school, Benny joined the army and served as a diesel mechanic in Korea. He worked briefly as an Operating Engineer. He worked for De Soto, KS school district as a mechanic and school bus driver for many years.

Benny boasted on surviving death multiple times: a burst appendix, 1953 (marked AWOL prior to military induction); in a head-on car wreck, 1955; belt caught in conveyor working at Stewart Sand Company, 1957; kidney cancer (one removed), 1991; T-boned in a car wreck, 2019; survived the Linwood Tornado (home obliterated as he rushed to the basement), 2019; hospitalized with a concussion after a fall, 2020.

Benny was a kind, gentle soul with a cheerful smile and always ready to visit. In his later years, he enjoyed eating lunch out at various restaurants on a daily basis with partner Carolyn Herman. He enjoyed the perks his veteran status provided. His pride and joy was his powder blue 1998 Lincoln.

Benny is survived by his grandson, Roy Brown, Jr. He is mourned by friends and multiple relatives, including four nephews and two nieces and their families.  

Graveside services will be held on Tuesday, July 14, 2026 at 9:00 am at Leavenworth National Cemetery. Visitation will be held on Monday, July 13, 2026 from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm. The family suggests memorials to the Kansas City Hospice House or to the Wounded Warrior Project.