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Submitted: 11/27/12 • Approved: 10/20/19 • Last Updated: 10/23/19 • R787667-G0-S3
Aug 1 1921 - June 3 2011
*Obituary
Benton County Daily Record
Saturday, June 4, 2011
John Brown Jr. Dies At 89
SILOAM SPRINGS — John Brown Jr., second president of John Brown University, died Friday. He was 89.
A letter from current president Chip Pollard to faculty explained Brown's death was a result of complications from a hip replacement surgery earlier this week. The letter stated Brown seemed to be recovering well until yesterday morning "when he had a variety of complications that led to his death".
Brown was born Aug. 1, 1921, and graduated from the university in 1942. He served in the Navy during World War II. After the war, Brown returned to the university and was appointed vice president by his father, John Brown Sr. in 1946.
Brown succeeded his father as president and served until 1979.
Brown's push for high academic standards led to the university's accreditation by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools in 1962. He also introduced intercollegiate athletics during his tenure as president. He is also credited for increasing student enrollment while president.
In 1987 Brown was given the honorary title of chancellor.
Brown was a member of the Rotary Chub and knew its president Willie Williams for 11 years. Williams said Brown was one of its longest serving members dating to the 1940s or 1950s.
"He was looked on by everyone as a great community leader." Williams said "He was certainly one of the most well-respected people in the community."
Brown was known to be a gentleman who was warm, open, welcoming and had a stellar sense of humor.
"He loved levity," said former Siloam Springs Mayor M.L. "Moose" Van Poucke, who knew Brown for 53 years. "He loved to always have a joke."
Van Poucke also said Brown was a strong family man.
"He had a very strong attachment to his family and they to him," Van Poucke said.
Brown married Louise Randolph on May 21, 2006. He was married to Caroline Trahin Brown from Nov. 23. 1941, until she died Jan. 28, 2005.
He is survived by Louise; five children, Karen Wilt, John Brown III and wife Stephania, Melinda Pollock, Julie Lolley and husband Michel, Laurie Wilkinson and husband Burt; 14 grandchildren; and 14 great-grandchildren.
Service arrangements are pending. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that gifts be made to the John E. Brown Jr. Memorial Scholarship Fund. Gifts can be sent to John Brown University at 2000 W. University, Siloam Springs, AR 72761.
*Obituary
Benton County Daily Record
Sunday, June 5, 2011
John E. Brown Jr.
SILOAM SPRINGS — John E. Brown Jr., 89, died June 3, 2011. He was born Aug. 1, 1921.
He served as president of John Brown University from 1948 to 1979.
Survivors include his wife, Louise Randolph of the home; five children, Karen Wilt, John Brown III and wife Stephania, Melinda Pollock, Julie Lolley and husband Mike, Laurie Wilkinson and husband Burt; 14 grandchildren; and 14 great-grandchildren.
Memorial services will be 2 p.m. Friday at Cathedral of the Ozarks, John Brown University in Siloam Springs.
*Section 18
Contributed on 11/27/12 by tslundberg
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Record #: 787667