Ronald Lee Brown

Ronald Lee Brown

April 1, 1936- April 1, 2013

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colorado -- Ron Brown, currently of Springfield, Colorado, formerly of Culbertson, Nebraska, and Salix, Iowa died on April 1, 2013, in Colorado Springs.

Ron was born April 1, 1936, in St. Louis, Missouri to Aaron and Anna Mae (Costello) Brown. He graduated from Wentzville High School. In 1956, he joined the United States Navy and served 11 years with service during the Vietnam War. Most of his time was served on the air craft carriers USS Coral Sea and USS Tripoli.

Ron married Rosemary Dickherber on July 2, 1960, and they had five children: Greg Brown and wife, Sharon of Springfield, Colorado, Laurie Wunsch and husband, Wally of Fort Morgan, Colorado, Matt Brown and wife, Ann of McCook, Nebraska, Mike Brown and wife, Chantille of Sydney, Nebraska and daughter, Shannon Brown of McCook. They have 10 grandchildren, Josh, Seth, Zachary, Tyler, Kyle, Randy, Angela, Ryan, Heidi, and Andrew and four great-grandchildren, Annointed, Trinity, Elijah and Ava.

During his years in the service, he started his music career playing clubs in the Philippines and California. Throughout his career as an entertainer, Ron played across the United States during which time he headlined at the Mapes Hotel in Reno, Nevada, and Riverboats in Branson, Missouri and St. Paul, Minnesota. In addition to those highlights, he frequently entertained in the Midwest communities of McCook, Lamar and North Platte, Nebraska and Sioux City, Iowa. He continued his musical career until deteriorating health forced him to retire. In 2010, he was inducted into the Nebraska Country Music Hall of Fame.

While his livelihood revolved around music, in the later years of his career and life, music became a form of ministry for Ron. Whether alone or joined by his family and friends celebrating God's gift of love and grace through music was his greatest passion.

Ron was preceded in death by his parents and brother. He is survived by his wife, children, grandchildren, great children and one sister, Marlene Meyer of Medford, Oregon.

There will be a viewing on Thursday, April 4, 2013, from 6 until 8 p.m. at the Maltbie Funeral Home, 265 W. 8th Avenue, Springfield, Colorado 81073 and again from 8:30 until 9:30 a.m. at the Springfield Baptist Chapel, 441 Pinion in Springfield, Colorado.

A celebration of Ron's life will be at the Springfield Baptist Chapel, 441 Pinion in Springfield, Colorado, Friday, April 5, 2013, at 10a.m. Interment will be in the Campo Cemetary.

Memorial gifts may be given in Ron's name to the Baca County Food Bank in care of Maltbie Funeral Home, 265 W. 8th Avenue, Springfield, Colorado 81073.