John Albert Brown, 85, of Ronceverte, WV, a farmer and lover of the land and all its inhabitants, went to mow the Lord’s fields on Wednesday, May 7, 2014.
The son of the late Dorothy and John Harve Brown of Ronceverte, he was born October 17, 1928.
He lived most of his life on the family farm at the mouth of Second Creek and the Greenbrier Valley. He was a believer in America and the American dream. He served his country in the U.S. Army in the early 1950s.
After leaving the military, his career of 50 years as a construction worker and heavy equipment operator started. He traveled 12 years building bridges and roads all over West Virginia. He was extremely proud of his work and took pride in all be accomplished.
His hard-working lifestyle won him admiration from those who knew him. To pay attention to detail and realize the value of hard work and the satisfaction of a job well done were values be passed on to many.
In 1965, he returned to the beloved family farm and continued his career for another 38 years. He built a home on the farm and spent his offwork time putting up hay, working the land, and raising cattle. He was never happier than when riding his tractor.
His many stories of life experiences gave us examples of his happy and fulfilling life.
Taking his great-granchildren fishing or just having the children near him brought him much happiness.
He believed being a “good neighbor” was a high calling, and he assisted his neighbors and friends at every opportunity. He appreciated the assistance of his neighbors and friends during his troubling times.
He was a Christian in belief and deed. Aways wearing a beauiful smile, be brought pleasure to those he loved. The bedrock of a close knit family, he took interest in all his family, including his nieces and nephews.
Survivors include his wife, Margaret Vance Brown of Ronceverte; two daughters, Donna Loudermilk (Date)of Ronceverte and Dorothy Bishop (Bob) of Morgantown, WV; two sons, Larry Two Rivers Brown (Shelly) of Lewisburg, WV, and Eddie Brown (Donna) of Ronceverte; brother, Dearl Brown (Joan) of Ronceverte; three sisters, Margaret VanHorn of Charleston, WV, Tillie Price (Bill) of New Jersey, and Joyce Clinebell of Roanoke, VA; five grandchildren, Matt Hayes of Ronceverte, Mark Hayes (Robin) of Ashburn, VA, Robert Bishop (Jessica) of Morgantown, Brandon Bishop (Tara) of Florida, and Leslie Cayanus (Jacob) of Michigan; 12 great-grandchildren, Lane, Landon, and Logan Hayes, McGuire, Noah, and Avery Reid, Lauren and Allison McCord, and Emily, Morgan, Ayla, and Harper Bishop; brothers-in-law, James “Pretty” Vance, Philip Vance (Betty), George Vance (Linda) and Robert Vance; and sister-in-law, Bayo Graham (Joe).
He was preceded in death by three brothers, Thornton, Charles, and Bob Brown; three sisters, Anna May Brown, Nancy Kessinger, and Katherine Jones; brother-in-law, Junior Vance; and sisters-in-law, Mary Bland and Darlene Coffman.
Funeral services will be conducted at 2 PM on Sunday, May 11, 2014, at the Wallace & Wallace Funeral Home in Lewisburg with Pastor Brian Baker officiating. Burial with military rites will follow at the Rosewood Cemetery.
The family will receive guests on Saturday, May 10, from 6-8 PM at the funeral home in Lewisburg.
Pallbearers will be Mike Hannah, Donnie Yates, Peanut Bland, Robert Bishop, Lane Hayes, Chris Vance, Mike Vance, and Pat Vance.
Online condolences may be made by visiting www.WallaceandWallaceFH.com.
Wallace & Wallace Funeral Home in Lewisburg is in charge of arrangements.
Obituary originally published in the May 9, 2014, edition of the West Virginia Daily News.
