Eugene Brown Jr.

Eugene Daniel Brown Jr. was born October 28, 1930 to Eugene Sr. and Tressa Naillieux Brown on the farm south of Beloit, KS. He passed away June 5, 2024 at Mitchell County Health Systems at the age of 93.

Eugene, known as Jr. to many, attended the Laban one room school house right down the road. He would ride his horse every day to school with his dog in tow. After 8th grade, he attended Beloit High School from which he graduated in 1949. After high school, Jr. worked putting up power poles in western Kansas before returning to the family farm. On November 4, 1951, he was united in marriage to Betty Pauline Cardwell to which six children were born, Donald Eugene, Betty Arlene, Daniel Ray, Joseph Paul, Jimmy Robert and Jerry Lew. In the late 1960's, Jr. helped install the water line for Rural Water District #1, and he was also a beloved school bus driver for USD #273 for 36 years. Besides his love for farming, Jr. enjoyed going to farm sales and swap meets, but his favorite pastime was buying and fixing up old tractors to resell. He also loved attending the Kansas State Fair in Hutchinson each year where they would take their mobile home and spend the weekend. Jr. was an avid dancer, roller-skater and tap dancer. He was known for his dancing while he roller skated! He was also a pool shark where he won many tournaments. Hunting coyotes, deer and pheasants was another one of his passions. He looked forward to the crew from Kansas City coming every November to hunt and enjoy homemade cinnamon rolls. He was involved in the Mason and Shriner's organizations for over fifty years and earned his fifty-year pin.

Eugene was united in marriage to Carol Hodgson on February 16, 2012. They enjoyed traveling to Branson, Reno and Las Vegas, going for drives in the country and dancing. Watching the Price is Right, Wheel of Fortune and Let's Make a Deal was a favorite pastime.

Eugene was preceded in death by his parents, infant son Jimmy, wife Pauline and infant great granddaughter, Perpetua Wertz Brown. He is survived by his wife Carol of the home, children Don and wife Joanne Brown, Betty Casey and husband Mike, Dan and wife Janine Brown, Joe Brown, Jerry and wife Melissa Brown and step-children Karen and John MacCrory and Brett Creager all of Beloit. Also left to mourn his passing are thirteen grandchildren and twenty-five great grandchildren.

Funeral services will be at 10 AM Monday, June 10 at the Roberts Family Funeral Home. Following the burial, everyone is invited to join the family for a luncheon at the Beloit Methodist Church. Visitation will be from 1-7 PM, with family present from 5-6 PM Sunday at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the Shriner's Hospital or the Ronald McDonald House.