Duane Neal Brown

Duane Brown was born in Colby, Kansas, on November 7, 1955, and he lived and died in Colby. He graduated from Colby High School, where he was very good at athletics. Duane was talented in almost anything he did, and beyond sports, he was one hell of an artist. One of the best ways to know Duane was sitting with him, listening to his music. He loved to fish, and he loved riding his Harley—sometimes a little too fast.

He was always very funny, very ornery, and very honest. In fact, he was so honest that it was the very thing people either loved or hated about him.

Like many people, Duane also carried a long battle with addiction. And addiction stole many of the good things he was capable of in the early parts of his life. It cost him time, relationships, and years that can never be replaced.

But when he got clean, everything changed.

That is when he met his wife, Velvola Brown, and together they spent the last 25 years of his life side by side. He got custody of his two youngest kids, and he truly became a dad. He became a husband. He became a good member of the community, a good son, and a good brother. And he was a good grandpa to all of his grandkids as well.

Duane is preceded in death by his mother, Marjorie Brown, and his granddaughter, Rayanna Harsh.

He is survived by his wife, Velvola Brown; his father, Jim Brown of Colby, Kansas; his brother, Allen Brown and his wife Debbie of Colby, Kansas; his sister, Linda Brown and her significant other, Tim, of Selden, Kansas; his daughters, Sarah Poole of Wichita, Kansas, and Darci Davis and her husband Justin of Almena, Kansas; his sons, Aaron Brown and his wife Miranda of Salina, Kansas, and Taylor Brown of Kearney, Nebraska; his step-sons, Joseph Harper and his wife Lori of Selden, Kansas, and Magnum Shea of Great Bend, Kansas; along with his numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.

May we remember Duane for the man he became—honest, loving, and full of life. And may we carry his memory forward with the same honesty and love he showed us.

The family will have a come and go memorial service from 1-4:00 pm Saturday, February 28, 2026, at the 4-H Building, 1100 W Cedar Street, Colby, KS 67701.