Ken J. Brown

Kenneth James (Ken J.) Brown passed away Monday, October 23, 2017 just three days shy of his 88th birthday. Ken was born to Leona (Selman) Brown and Roy V. Brown on October 26, 1929. A proud graduate of Amarillo High School in 1948, Ken joined the Navy three days after graduating high school and served during the Korean War. Ken married Barbara Grounds on May 23, 1953 and together they had three children. In the last month of his life he started singing to Barbara the melody “Have I Told You Lately That I Love You.”  Barbara sang the same back to him a few hours before passing. Their love was solid and together they enjoyed 64 years of marriage.

Ken was a vivacious force of life and lived every minute to its fullest. Ken J. Brown Realtors began 57 years ago in 1960. His love of people and possessing the gift of gab, lead to a very successful real estate career, winning himself and his company many awards.  Up until just this last week, Ken was still calling the office to make sure everything was running smoothly.  The slogan emblazed on the side of his well known red and white van had the words “Selling Amarillo – You Can Believe It!”  With his passing we can all take comfort in a new slogan, “Adjusting to Heaven-- We Know It!” (And probably negotiating too!)

Lake Tanglewood was his paradise for the past 40 years where many fish fries were held, fish tales shared and countless lake tours enjoyed by friends and family.  To say he manicured his Lake Tanglewood lawn is an understatement!  Only in is his 85th year did Ken finally agree to sell his riding lawn mower deciding that he might trust someone else to do the job for him. The last ten summers he treated his family to amazing vacations in Captiva, Florida.  In prior years there were many fishing trips to Colorado and Vermejo Park, NM.  Playing golf was a pastime he loved as well as watching it on TV. “Can you turn the TV down?!” was often heard by many a family member during Ken’s much loved Dallas Cowboy games. You cannot sum up a man like Ken J. Brown in mere words. His presence and memory will last a lifetime for us all.

Ken was preceded in death by his parents, beloved stepfather Howard McElwaney, in-laws Grethel and Wilton Grounds and brother-in-law Neal Grounds.

Survivors include his wife, Barbara Brown, daughters D’Lynn Chaney (companion Don Yates); Dyann Folkner (Kirk); son Wes K. Brown (Margaret). Grandchildren Jonathan Swafford – Fort Worth, Emily Miller (Dacoda) of Claude, Elaine Brown – Amarillo; Nicholas Folkner and Graham Folkner – Amarillo.  Great granddaughters Elly and Anna Miller. Sister Delores Stone - Plano as well as many loved nieces and nephews.

Family will receive friends from 6:00-7:00 on Wednesday, October 25, 2017 at the funeral home.

Condolences may be shared at www.schoolerfuneralhome.com.