For the Lord said “well done good & faithful servant, enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.”
J Carlton Brown age 92, passed away peacefully from this earth on Wednesday, Feb. 7, 2018.
Funeral services will be held at 11am on Saturday, February 10, 2018 at the Aikins-Farmer-Loftus-McManus Funeral Home with Steve Karraker and Delbert Sullivan officiating. Burial to follow in Metropolis Memorial Gardens with military rites.
Carl was born on Jan. 12, 1926 in New Columbia, IL to Elmer and Nellie (Morgan) Brown. Notice in the above paragraph there is not period after J. Throughout Carl’s life this was a subject of debate, discussion and at times an argument or two. Some family members thought there was no period due to the county clerk failing to punctuate properly or due to the fuzzy, faded paper his birth certificate was on. (It was 1926) Carl always said it was Elmer and Nellie’s fault. One wanted to name him James and one wanted to name him Jesse so they settled on J, no period. I tend to believe Dad’s story and will leave the case of the missing period open for future debate.
Carl grew up in New Columbia on the family farm. He graduated from New Columbia High School where he excelled in basketball and baseball. To virtually all if not all of the locals who are mostly gone now, he was affectionately known as “Scratchy”, for reasons too long to write. Shortly after graduation, he enlisted in the US Navy and proudly served his country from 1944 – 1946 in the Pacific Theatre. Carl was one of the last surviving WWII veterans in Massac County.
After being discharge from the Navy, Carl returned home where he worked various jobs. He began attending classes at Paducah Jr. College (PJC) where he earned his degree in business. While at PJC, Carl put his basketball skills to work playing guard for the Indians. Old newspaper clippings from the Paducah Sun Democrat had several write ups of his excellent play.
Beginning in 1949, Carl was hired at the 1st National Bank in Metropolis. In his own words, he was hired as a teller but all he did was roll pennies. From that humble beginning, Carl retired banking in 1988 as bank president and board member.
An avid sports fan, Carl loved following the Kentucky Wildcats and the STL Cardinals. He was a lifelong Metropolis Trojan fan and later Massac County Patriot fan. Carl remarked just a couple of years ago with his health starting to fail it was the first year in his life he had not been to a HS basketball game. Carl also coached both his son’s Khoury League baseball and grade school basketball teams. Through his association with the bank, he was able to procure thousands of dollars over the years which was used to sponsor many kids and teams. He truly loved to watch young kids, or anyone, play ball.
Even with all of his pursuits in life, Carl’s main passion was his love for Christ and his Highway 45 Church of Christ family. A faithful member his entire life and barring illnesses, which were few, he and Dorothy never missed a service. Even while out of town, they would find a church to attend services.
Carl leaves behind his wife of 67 years, Dorothy Ellen (Quint) Brown; daughter and caregiver, Paula McIntosh (Gordon); sons, Ronnie Brown and Frank Brown (Tammy); grandsons, Ben Hester (Sarah), John McIntosh, Ryan Brown (Lana) and Blake Brown (Leslie); granddaughters, Leah McIntosh Long (James) and Rachel Brown and special friend Robert Hughes; six great grandchildren; several nephews and countless friends.
Carl was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Ike and Guy Brown’ sister, Mayme Edna Evans; and one beloved grandson, Joshua Stephen Brown.
Visitation will be held on Saturday, February 10th from 9am until the funeral hour at the Aikins-Farmer-Loftus-McManus Funeral Home.
Memorial contributions may be given in Carl’s name to Metropolis Highway 45 Church of Christ, 3003 N. US 45, Metropolis, IL 62960.
Condolences may be left online at www.aikinsfarmer-millerfh.com.
