Jack Brown

Jack Brown, 90, of Waco, dearly loved husband, father and grandfather, died Sunday, Aug. 1, 2010, at Providence Hospital. Services will be 10 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 3, at the OakCrest Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Shelton Markham officiating. Burial with military honors will follow at Waco Memorial Park. Jack was born Sept. 17, 1919, in Waco, and was the fourth of six children of Joe Davis and Mary Ann (Wilkerson) Brown. He attended Waco High School before enlisting in the U.S. Marine Corps in June of 1941. He was stationed at Pearl Harbor when it was attacked by the Japanese Dec. 7, 1941, and served the remainder of the War in the Pacific Theater. He served aboard the U.S.S. Indianapolis in the Coral Sea from Dec. 8, 1941, to July of 1942, when the Indianapolis was deployed to the Aleutian Islands to prevent a Japanese invasion of Alaska. In 1944, Jack was with the 12th Anti-Aircraft Battalion attached to the First Marine Division and served in that capacity until the end of the War. During this time he participated in four amphibious assaults at Guadalcanal, New Caledonia, Russell Islands and Peleliu. Staff Sergeant Brown was awarded the Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal with five Bronze Stars, the American Campaign Medal, American Defense Service Medal, the Pearl Harbor Medal and the Marine Sharpshooter Medal. He was an active member and Past President of the Pearl Harbor Survivors Association, Chapter 10. After the end of WWII, Jack returned home to Waco and married Mary Frances Bland Feb. 2, 1946. He was employed by Southwestern Bell Telephone Company and served his employer faithfully for 33 years. Upon retirement, Jack volunteered for eight years for the D.A.V., driving disabled veterans to V.A. facilities for needed care. He was a longtime member of Western Heights Baptist Church. Jack was preceded in death by his parents; beloved brothers and sisters, Joe Davis Brown Jr., Mary Belle Eggebrecht, Mattie Mae Crow, Bob B. Brown, and Nola Nell Bice; and by a grandson, Erick Christian Anderssen. Survivors include his wife, Mary; daughters and sons-in-law, Susie and Rick Anderssen of Plano, and Janis and David Elliston of Frisco; son and daughter-in-law, Stan and Debora Brown of Lorena; eight grandchildren and their spouses, Rick and Michelle Anderssen, Drew Anderssen, Keith and Lauren Elliston, Kevin and Amy Elliston, Trent and Kayla Brown, Nicholas Brown, Megan Brown and Nathan Brown; and eight great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister-in-law, Martha Brown of Mart; as well as treasured generations of nieces and nephews. Memorial contributions may be made to the National Museum of the Pacific War c/o the Admiral Nimitz Foundation, 328 East Main, Fredericksburg, Texas 78624. The Guest Book is available at www.oakcrestwaco.com. September 17, 1919 - August 1, 2010 Sign the Guest Book at www.wacotrib.com