Harry J. Brown

Harry J. Brown, a farm boy from Franklin County Missouri who served his country during WWII and returned home to his high school sweetheart to build a family and a successful career, died on March 5th, 2026.  He was 100.

Mr. Brown was born on April Fool’s Day, 1925 to Harry A. and Lillie (Girl) Brown in the same Franklin County home where his father and grandfather were born.  The oldest of three boys, he became a farm hand at an early age working land that had been in his family for several generations.  For his 7th birthday his parents bought him a pony named Johnny that for the next 11 years kept him company and helped with chores around the farm.

He met Ruth Pauline Wilmesherr during high school, and they were married in 1945 just before he deployed to the Pacific Theater.  In his own words, “It was a wild and crazy time, but it worked, and I had something to come home to.”  

They were married for 72 years until her death in August of 2017.  He is survived by his son, Keith Brown, Manchester, MO; two daughters, Debra Gice (Jon), West Linn, OR, and Sharon Martin, Buena Vista, CO; three grandchildren, Lindsey Gice (Ryan Mottl), Leigh Gice (Troy Ruppe), and Casey Martin (Katy); and 5 great-grandchildren, George, Peter and John Martin, and Ryder and Willa Mottl.  He was preceded in death by his brothers Charles and William Brown, grandson Timothy Martin, and son-in-law Jack Martin.

Mr. Brown attended Ming Elementary School, and graduated from Washington High School, receiving the first State Future Farmers of America degree ever awarded to a Washington High graduate.  He loved music and played the trumpet in the Washington Boys Band, the Elks Band, and with Emmet Ming and the Night Owls - a dance band.

Shortly after marrying Ruth, he shipped out with the 96th Infantry Division (the “Deadeyes”) as first scout in a rifle squad.  He spent 20 months in the South Pacific, including 52 days on the front lines of the battle for Okinawa, after which he was awarded the Bronze Star for heroic service in a combat zone.  He was honorably discharged with the rank of Staff Sergeant.He came home to Ruth and joined his former agriculture teacher at J.T. Gibbs Broiler Farm, raising 400,000 delicious birds over 5 years.  He then donned the checkerboard and joined Ralston Purina Company.  He enjoyed a 31-year career as District and Division Sales Manager in Missouri, Illinois, Indiana and Minnesota. 

After his retirement in 1988, he and Ruth returned to Missouri and built their home in Wildwood, to be closer to family and life-long friends.  He was active in the Ellisville and Manchester United Methodist Church, where he enjoyed working the Christmas tree lot and organizing the annual apple butter fundraiser.

During retirement, he and Ruth were often on the road visiting friends and family and attending 96th Infantry Division reunions.  He flew his entire family to Washington, D.C. for one of the final Deadeye reunions to introduce them to the men who shared his foxhole on Okinawa.  

Mr. Brown first celebrated his 100th birthday a little early with a gathering of his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren in St. Louis.  On the actual day, he was recognized by the City of Manchester and celebrated with a party at Cape Albeon Assisted Living in Valley Park.  The festivities were attended by City officials, friends and family, and capped off with a parade of Patriot Guard Riders and fellow veterans.

He was especially fond of spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren sharing stories of growing up on the farm during the Great Depression and passing on the wisdom gained over a successful life and career.  Mr. Brown was a firm believer that “success is an attitude,” and that the best approach to life is to “trust in the Lord and do good.”

Services: Funeral Services for Harry J. Brown will be held at a later date at Manchester United Methodist Church, 129 Woods Mill Road, Manchester, MO.  Interment at St. Peter’s UCC Cemetery, Washington, MO.  As a service of the Schrader Funeral Home and Crematory, friends may sign the online guestbook at Schrader.com.