Jack L. Brown

Jack Brown, age 80, went to be with his lord, May 22, 2017 while surrounded by his loving family.

 

Jack Lee Brownwas born on May 31, 1936 in Corry, Pennsylvania to Alfred and Viola Brown. He was the second oldest of eight children. Brothers included Terry Brown (Blanche), Pat Brown (Patty), and Dick Brown (Kathy). Sisters included Isabel Brown, Janice Wilson (Bob), Mary Guntrum (Jim), Katie Reynolds (Terry).

 

Jack’s formative years occurred in Titusville, Pennsylvania where he graduated from Titusville High in 1954. During his adolescence, Jack enjoyed playing sandlot baseball and partnering with his brother Terry in creating a successful newspaper delivery service. Jack was a four sport athlete in high school: Football (Quarterback), Wrestling, Track and Baseball. Two of his proudest moments during his high school athletic career were being elected Captain of the Wrestling Team his Senior Year and also serving as the Vice President of the Varsity Club during the same year. Jack also enjoyed school and by his own admission was a good/but not great student who loved US History. During the times he wasn’t studying, participating in sports, or working, Jack cherished his time with his best friends Duane Whitehill and Bud Swanson.

 

After not being selected during a tryout for the New York Yankee organization, Jack enlisted in the United States Airforce in the winter of 1954 and served proudly until 1959. While stationed at Ellsworth Airforce Base, he and his close friend Gary Chapman traveled to Wall for a dance. It was there he met the first love of his life, Marlene VanVleck. They were married on September 23rd, 1957. Through this union, they were blessed with five children: Valerie (Tim Emery), Melanie (Wayne Shull), Stacy (Wayne White), Lori Strobel, and Jason Brown (Kari). 

 

Jack and Marlene proudly raised their children in Wall, S.D., where Jack started his career as a lineman with the local telephone cooperative, Golden West. Jack’s career with the company spanned forty years where he retired as General Manager/CEO in 2000. During his tenure as General Manager/CEO, Golden West grew through acquisitions and strategic alliances to become the largest independent telephone company in the United States based on land area served. He was extremely proud of leading this growth while keeping the headquarters in Wall, S.D. Jack’s respect and love for his employees drove him to do everything in his power to ensure their futures were secured in the town he and Marlene loved.

 

During his career at Golden West, Jack served on many industry associations and held numerous leadership positions: National Telephone Cooperative Association Pension Fund Board - Trustee, South Dakota Independent Telephone Coalition - President, South Dakota Network – President, and FCC Rural Task Force – FCC and NARU appointee.

While living in Wall, Jack was involved in Jaycees, Toastmasters and was a founding member of the Wall Booster Club. He also was a committee member for the Wall Chamber Economic Development Committee. Jack along with his good friends Dennis Anderson and Stan Mettler opened the Wall Drive-(bellhops and all) in the mid 1970’s which eventually became the current Wall Dairy Queen after he sold his share of the business. Jack became involved with the Wall Medical Board in 1983 and did so for the next 13 years. He served as president for the board the majority of those years. He formed a personal relationship with both Doctor Robert Hays and Dave Custis, PAC—and had the utmost respect for them both. In 1987, during Jack’s tenure as president--the medical board, along with Mayor Dave Hahn and the City of Wall, were successful in building a new clinic with modern technology.

 

In 2001, Jack and Marlene moved to Dakota Dunes, S.D. This location centralized him with his family, while still keeping him in the state he had come to love. Jack always said it was the prettiest place he had ever lived. While there, he became involved in the Willows Homeowners Association and served as president for two years. In 2006, Marlene began her second battle with Cancer. In the fall of 2008, Jack and Marlene moved back to Rapid City, S.D. Marlene was called home March 3, 2009.

 

Jack was fortunate to find comfort thru a grief group and it was there he met his second love of his life, Pamela Sue Osler. Jack and Pamela were united in marriage on April 3rd, 2010. Jack and Pam’s days together were filled with love, laughter, dancing and traveling. They became members of the Canyon Lake United Methodist Church and served many hours thru various charitable ministries.

 

Jack was preceded in death by his first wife, Marlene; his parents, Alfred and Viola; his in-laws Gilbert (Skinny) and Pearl VanVleck; sisters, Isabel, Mary and Katie; daughter, Valerie Emery; brother-in-law, Richard VanVleck.

 

Having shared his life is his loving wife, Pamela Sue; children: Melanie (Wayne) Shull, Stacy (Wayne) White, Lori Strobel, Jason (Kari) Brown and stepson Tony Osler. Grandchildren: Miranda (Bruce) Kitterman, Ty (Tanya) White, Zach (Lane) Shull, Katie White (Adam Sumner), Seth Shull, Alexa (Trevor) Hatch, Jennifer Emery, Ayden and Makenah Brown; 15 great-grandchildren; and his brother-in-law, Eugene VanVleck.

Services were held Tuesday, May 30, at Canyon Lake United Methodist Church, with the Rev. Eric Grinager officiating. 

 

Inurnment with honors by VFW Post 1273 of Rapid City and the Ellsworth AFB Honor Guard were held Wednesday, May 31, at Black Hills National Cemetery near Sturgis. 

 

A memorial has been established to Canyon Lake United Methodist Church. Friends may sign Jack’s online guestbook at kirkfuneralhome.com.