James R. Brown

James R. Brown, 91 of Mason City, died Wednesday, July 6, 2011 at the Good Shepherd Health Center. Memorial services will be held 3:00 PM Saturday, July 9, 2011 at the First Congregational United Church of Christ, 100 1st Street NE with Rev. Patricia Aurand officiating. Inurnment will take place in the Rockwell Cemetery at a later date. A gathering of family and friends will take place from 4:00 to 6:00 PM Friday at Major Erickson Funeral Home & Crematory, 111 N. Pennsylvania Avenue, Mason City. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.majorericksonfuneralhome.com

Jim was born on August 17, 1919 in Rockwell, Iowa, the son of Lola and Howard Brown who farmed north of Rockwell. He attended a Bath Township school until the age of twelve years when, following the death of his father, he and his brother George moved to Mason City with their mother. Jim attended Mason City schools where he played in the band. Following graduation from Mason City High School, he attended Mason City Junior College where he met the love of his life, Helen Stoecker, in Mr. Herricks American Government class. He continued his education at the University of Iowa where he received his undergraduate degree in history and then attended the University of Iowa Law School, graduating in December, 1942. While in law school he enlisted in the Army Air Corp and entered the service in 1943. He married Helen in Santa Ana, California while in bomber flight school. He served his country as a B-17 pilot with the 858th Bomb Squadron, flying single aircraft night missions from a base in England and over occupied France and Holland. In July, 1944, while returning to England during a mission, his plane was shot down over Holland. After an attempted escape to England, he was captured in Belgium in September, 1944 and was held as a prisoner of war until his liberation in April of 1945. After the War, Jim returned to Mason City and established his law practice first with John Seneff and then in 1952 he joined Bob Kinsey and Howard Dresser to form the law firm of Brown, Kinsey & Dresser which continues today as the law firm of Brown, Kinsey, Funkhouser & Lander, P.L.C.. He was elected to serve three terms as Cerro Gordo County attorney. He also served as the city attorney for the City of Mason City and was elected as a member of the Mason City Council. He retired from the practice of law in 1995 after fifty-three years. Jim was an active community volunteer and leader. He was a long time board member and officer of the North Iowa Medical Center. He was an enthusiastic member and volunteer for the Mason City Family YMCA where he was twice awarded the Volunteer of the Year award and was also the recipient of the Willis Patton Award. Jim was also a recipient of the Mason City High School Distinguished Alumni Award and in 2006, Jim and Helen received the NIACC Distinguished Alumni Award. Jim was a loyal, dedicated and loving husband, father and grandfather.

Jim is survived by his daughter, Sue Cannon of Apopka, Florida, his son Marc and his wife Norma of Phoenix, Arizona and his son Scott and his wife Anne of Mason City, grandchildren Laura, Adam, Evan, Andy, Julie, Genny, Sam and Claire and great grandchildren Elliot, David, Kate, and Matt. He is also survived by his brother George Brown and his wife Pat of Decorah, Iowa. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Helen last December, and by his oldest child Jimmy in 1990. The family requests that memorials be directed to the Mason City Family YMCA in support of its current Partner of Youth campaign.

Memorials:
Mason City Family YMCA in support of its current Partner of Youth campaign

Cemetery:
Rockwell Cemetery

Visitation:
The family will greet friends from 4:00 to 6:00 PM Friday at Major Erickson Funeral Home

Service:
3:00 PM Saturday, July 9, 2011 at the First Congregational United Church of Christ