Gerald Brown

Gerald T. "Jerry" Brown, 70, of Cape Girardeau died Sunday, Jan. 13, 2008, at Landmark Hospital in Cape Girardeau.

He was born Oct. 27, 1937, in Cape Girardeau, son of Walton William and Inez Spalding Brown. He and Jeanie Hanf Brown were married Oct. 26, 1990, in Cape Girardeau.

He was a lifelong resident of Cape Girardeau, attended Catholic schools here and graduated from William Carey College in Hattiesburg, Miss., with a bachelor of science degree in business.

Brown was employed locally, primarily in sales and management, with Davis Electric Co., Firestone Tire and Rubber Co., Barks Inc. and Hobart Sales and Service.

His military service covered almost 44 years. He joined Missouri National Guard in 1954 while still in high school. He served 10 years' active duty with the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War, returned to the National Guard, and completed service in the Army Reserve, retiring in 1997 as lieutenant colonel.

While in the Army he received several awards including the Bronze Star with two Oak Leaf clusters and "V" device for heroism, Meritorious Service Medal, Purple Heart with cluster, Army Commendation Medal with two Oak Leaf clusters and "V" device for heroism, Air Medal with Oak Leaf cluster, and Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with Gold Star.

He was a lifetime member of Veterans of Foreign Wars and Disabled American Veterans, member of American Legion and Elks Lodge.

He is survived by his wife, Jeanie Brown of Cape Girar-deau; a son, Gregg Brown of Kansas City, Mo.; a brother, Larry Brown of Cape Girardeau; a sister, Doris Roberts of Bonne Terre, Mo.; two grandchildren, Shannon and Kristen Brown of Kansas City.

He was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers and a sister.

Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Ford and Sons Mount Auburn Funeral Home. An Elks service will be held at 7.

The funeral will be at 10 a.m. Thursday at the funeral home, with chaplain James Tobin officiating. Burial will be in Cape County Memorial Park with military rites by VFW Post 3838 and Military Honors Team.

Memorials may be made to the Humane Society of Southeast Missouri or VFW Post 3838.