John Thomas Brown

John Thomas Brown, 89, of Iowa Falls, Iowa, passed away Wednesday, May 20, 2020 at the Hansen Family Hospital, Iowa Falls, Iowa. A private family only funeral service will be held at St. Marks Catholic Church in Iowa Falls. The Linn’s Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements. Further information can be found at linnsfuneralhome.com. In leiu of flowers, cards and/or memorials may be directed to: John Brown Memorial; c/o Linn’s Funeral Home; 1521 Washington Ave.; Iowa Falls, Iowa 50126.

John Thomas Brown was born on Puckerbrush Road in rural Adel, Iowa on June 7, 1930 to Bert O. Brown and Teresa Connolly Brown, the youngest of 7 children. He attended school at rural Dallas County schools, St. Augustin in Des Moines and the old Dowling High School in DesMoines, graduating from Iowa Falls High School with the class of 1948. John joined the U. S. Air Force in 1951 during the Korean War. He served with the 9th Bomb Wing at Mountain Home Air Base in Idaho. Two days after his discharge from the Air Force, on September 21, 1955 he was united in marriage to Donna Wehrman at St. Francis Catholic Church in Meridian, Idaho. They returned to Iowa Falls to his job with Iowa Electric Light and Power (now Alliant) at the power plant.

Four children were born to this union, Steven Michael, Randall Kenneth, Lawrence Dean, and Sharon Diane, all graduates of Iowa Falls High School. During the kids growing up years, John & Donna lived on an acreage at the edge of the Iowa River Green Belt in the house they built themselves. On weekends the large front yard would always be filled with a baseball, football or basketball game with all the neighborhood kids, with Johnny right in the middle of it all.

John & Donna spent 1975 & 1976 following Randy all over the state in football and track. He was very proud when both Steve and Larry received Presidential Scholarships to Briar Cliff College. John was also an excellent roller skater and for years ran competitive Skate Clubs in Ames, Mason City and Jefferson. He coached numerous skaters to Regional titles and on to Nationals, but was most proud of his daughter Shari’s 5 Regional Championships.

John retired from Iowa Electric in 1986 as a sub-foreman on the line crew. After his retirement he became superintendent (greens keeper) at Meadow Hills Golf Course. He also served on the Board of Directors. He was an avid golfer and shot below his age 78 years old. He enjoyed playing golf tournaments with Steve, and playing best ball with Donna. John was an active member of St. Mark’s Catholic Church  in Iowa Falls. He was a lifetime member of the Knight’s of Columbus. He was a former member of the IBEW union, the SRSTA (Society of Roller Skating Teachers of America).

John Brown is survived by his wife of over 64 years, Donna. His children Steve (Cindy) Brown of Pecan Grove, Texas, Randy Brown of Colorado Springs, Colorado, Larry (Theresa) Brown of Knoxville, Iowa and Shari (Alan) Keninger of Iowa Falls, Iowa, 9 grandchildren, Kathleen, Samantha and Michelle Brown of Colorado Springs, Sarah (Robert) Battles of Sioux City, Adam (fiancee Jayme) Brown of Des Moines, Matthew and Rebekah Brown of Knoxville, Alyssa Keninger of Arlington, VA, and Dustin (Brianna) Keninger of Mason City and 2 great grandchildren, Jazlynn Brown and Jack Alan Keninger. He is also survived by a Sister-in-law Mary Rose Brown of Iowa Falls. Sisters-in-law Elaine Stines and June Henry, brothers-in-law Harold and Paul Wehrman and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Bert Brown, sister Angela Brown, Half sisters Kathryn Heenan, Eloise Johnson, Geneva Donnelly Watkins, and Juanita Roff and brothers-in-law Lonnie Stines, Joe Heenan, Harry Johnson, Tom Donnelly, and Jim Roff.

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