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BORN
1961
DIED
2019
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James Brown Obituary
Des Moines - James (Jim) Howard Brown, PhD, 57 years old, died January 28, 2019 at Methodist Hospital in Des Moines, IA from a pulmonary embolism. There will be a visitation at Westover Chapel on Saturday, February 2, 2019 at 9:30 a.m. with a prayer service following at 11:00 a.m.
Jim was born July 23, 1961 in Des Moines, Iowa to James Vincent and Shannon Rae (Mehaffey) Brown. He grew up in Des Moines graduating from Dowling Catholic High School (1979), did his undergraduate at Iowa State University graduating in 1984, and attended the University of Illinois for graduate school earning a doctorate in astrophysics. He had a post-doctoral appointment for two years at Max Planck Institute in Munich, Germany. Choosing not to remain in the world of academia, Jim returned home and spent 14 years in Chicago as a pension actuary at Price Waterhouse Coopers and American Express. He was employed at Wells Fargo in West Des Moines as a research remediation analyst.
Jim's passions were riding his bike (accruing thousands of miles a year), cross country skiing, he was a veritable student of opera enjoying season tickets to Lyric Opera when living in Chicago, loved the Des Moines Symphony, enjoyed duplicate bridge, and particularly looked forward to being with his family for holiday gatherings.
Jim is survived by his mother, Shannon Rae Brown; a brother Jay Christopher Brown (Kristen Oeth) of Pataskala, OH, their children; niece Abigail Brown of Albany, NY and nephew Aaron Brown (junior) Purdue University, and his mother's partner and dear friend to Jim, Fred Hulten.
He was preceded in death by his father James (Jim) Brown, and grandparents Everett & Catherine Brown and Howard & Vivian (Bobbie) Mehaffey.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Des Moines Symphony or the Des Moines Metro Opera.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for James Brown
Sponsored by Iles Westover Funeral Home.
May 20, 2019
To the family of James H. Brown. Very sorry for your loss. We are told that at times such as these to Rejoice with those who rejoice; weep with those who weep. Romans 12:15; JF
Bill and Susan Brown
February 2, 2019
Shannon, So sorry to hear about Jim. We didn't get to see him often. He looks so much like his dad. Our prayers are with you and your family
Bobbie Riddle
February 1, 2019
Shannon, very sorry for your loss. Many good memories from the Bridge House .
Kay Ruehlen
January 31, 2019
Very sweet cousin, looked so much like his dad. Didn't get to see him very often but a wonderful person. Quiet but had a good sense of humor. Prayers for Shannon, Jay and the family.
Traci Ryan
January 31, 2019
James was a coworker of mine. I had the pleasure of seeing his smiling face 5 days a week. I already miss him so much. Prayers to his family during this difficult time.
Wells Fargo
January 31, 2019
James was an Amazing Person and Friend
He was loved & will be missed.
Your Wells Fargo Family
María Gonzalez
January 30, 2019
Im sorry for your loss. I recently lost my brother and my dad and the pain its extremely frustrating every day, but I want to share wit you a hope from the Bible in the book of Jhon chapter 5:28,29 where God its giving us the opportunity to see our love ones again and enjoy their company forever .
Please receive my condolences from the bottom of my heart
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