Garrett Brown

Garrett Brown was born Eli Garrett Brown on August 17, 1915 in Asheboro, North Carolina. His parents were James Audie and Nordie Lelate (Cox) Brown. He was a farmer. He died on December 21, 2008 at Presbyterian Manor, in Clay Center, Kansas. He was 93 years, 4 months and 4 days old.
He spent his first 21 years in North Carolina and came to Kansas in the late 1930s, looking for employment. He had a number of cousins in Glen Elder, Kansas that helped him become familiar with the area. He was living with cousin Jason and Katie Lowdermilk, when a neighbor girl was asked to help with household duties. That was when he met Neva Belle Stoeber, whom he married on December 4, 1940. To this union two children were born, Larry Garrett and Doris Irene.
Their married life began in the Glen Elder area but they moved to Cawker City in 1947. They lived there until moving back to the farm in 1963. This move was to the farm that Neva's parents had purchased in 1917. Garrett and Neva farmed together until retiring to Clay Center, Kansas in 2001.
Garrett was always devoted to his farm work. He took great pride in the cattle he raised. Each one had a name and personality! He also liked to "make better" or construct from scratch the implements he used, and always tried to do his own repairs to his machinery. He believed in soil conservation, making his own terraces and using low till farming. He would say that if he did not take care of his topsoil it would go to his neighbors. He and Neva always did their own haying, making the bales smaller as the years wore on, finally getting them to "Grandma-size".
He was one of the farmers who helped provide twine to his father-in-law for the "World's Largest Ball of Twine" in Cawker City.
Garrett was especially proud of his family. The farm was a fun place for his four grandchildren to visit. He liked to teach them about farm life, as well as to learn about their activities. He was pleased that his name was used as the middle name of his son, three grandsons and two great grandsons. He felt it was an honor.
Garrett was preceded in death by brothers Ray, Van, Hoyt, and Virgil and sister Winnie Hammer, also one grandson, Jimmy Garrett. He is survived by his wife of 68 years, Neva. Children Larry and wife Nancy of Chicago, Illinois and Doris and husband Dwight Ferguson of Clay Center, Kansas. Grandchildren, Rebecca and husband Bryon Phinney , David and wife Teresa Brown of Marion, Indiana, Joe and wife Julie Ferguson of Clay Center, Kansas and Sara and husband Nathan Ahlers of Helena, Montana. Great grandchildren are Abigail and Nathaniel Phinney, Megan and Ethan Brown, Jacob, Joshua and Jonah Ferguson. Also surviving is brother J. Clinton Brown of Asheboro, North Carolina.

Funeral Services will be held at 2:00 P.M. Friday at the McDonald Funeral Home. Interment will follow in Glenwood Cemetery. Memorials may be given to the Charity of the Donor's Choice. Friends may call from 4:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M. Thursday at the McDonald Funeral Home.