James "Mel" Brown

James (Jim) Brown, 90, of Aurora died Friday, February 7, 2025 at 5:30 pm. He was born to the late Howard Carl and Iola M Brown in Saginaw, Michigan on March 6, 1934. Jim discovered model airplane building in his early years and avidly continued this hobby for the rest of his life. He joined the Air Force in 1952. In 1955 he was stationed at Chennault AFB in Lake Charles, LA. Here he met Nelda Johnson and they married July 23, 1955. They traveled to many locations across the world. Along the way their family grew first with a daughter, Donna, followed by their first son, Robert. Daughter Melanie joined the family in 1960 and their family was completed in 1961 with another son, James II. In 1966 Jim was transferred to Lowry AFB and the family settled in Aurora. In 1972 he retired from the Air Force and pursued his private pilot’s license. He loved flying his Cessna 175, the Silver Bullet, which he always called “The Original Silver Bullet”. At this time he also began a second career with Hughes Aircraft retiring in 1996.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents Howard and Iola as well as his brother, Robert Howard Brown. He is survived by his wife, Nelda, four children: daughter Donna - SIL Roger, son Robert - DIL Christina, daughter Melanie - SIL Steve, son James, 7 grandchildren: Hanna Brown, Charlotte , Samantha, Amanda Bordwell and husband Ben, Ashley Burris and husband Jared, Erin Eplee and husband Darrell, Justin West and wife Melissa and 16 great-grandchildren. He also leaves behind his wife’s twin sister, Nedra, nieces, nephews, and friends.

 We would like to thank each of you who have joined us today in this joyous occasion to send Jim to his new heavenly home.

 In lieu of flowers the family is requesting donations to C-Care Lynch Syndrome in honor of James M. Brown.

Please join James' service  via livestream by clicking HERE.