WALTER BROWN
Obituary
"Colonel" Walter A. Brown Jr,
96, died Sunday (May 14, 2017) at Asbury Park in Newton.
Walter was born on October 27, 1920 to
Walter and Helen (Mills) Brown in Louisville, Kentucky.
Walter was a graduate of the University
of Florida in Gainesville, Florida and later joined the United States
Army in 1942 and was stationed in Wichita, Kansas.
Walter met and married Florence E.
Fitzwilliam on April 12, 1943 in Wichita. They were married almost 74
years until her death on April 9, 2017.
In 1946, he transferred from the U.S.
Army to the newly formed U.S. Air Force. He rose through the ranks
and retired as a Lt. Colonel after 30 years of service. Florence and
the Colonel traveled extensively in the military and Fairbanks,
Alaska, was one of their favorite assignments. Walter was a veteran
of three wars: World War II, the Korean Conflict and the Vietnam War.
Later in life they developed a deep
love of the desert states. They lived in New Mexico, Arizona and
Nevada during his time in the service and retirement. He saw a unique
tranquility and beauty in the western desert states with their ever
changing colors of the red rocks, and the pastels and fiery mauves of
the sunset. He found a deep peace and great appreciation for the
desert.
The Colonel was always a patriot of the
United States. He missed being in the military and he loved to talk
about his time there. He's graduated from the earthly military, but
the good Lord probably has another assignment or a regiment in heaven
needing a Colonel who is homesick for the military.
In his later years, Walter's journey
changed. The declining health of his wife and himself brought out a
greater sensitivity, concern, openness and reflection. His skepticism
towards God changed, and he came to resolve and died as a Christian.
He was at peace with God and himself. As his family shared: "It
doesn't get any better than that!"
He is survived by his four
grandchildren, six great grandchildren, three nieces, one nephew and
numerous great nieces and nephews.
Walter was preceded in death by his
parents: Walter and Helen Brown; wife: Florence Brown; son: Michael
Brown; sisters: Betty Brown Brice and Jane Brown Robinson.
A graveside service will be held at 2
p.m., Wednesday (May 17, 2017) at Greenwood Cemetery in Newton. There
is no public visitation.
Petersenfamilyfuneralhome.com.
