Raymond Brown

Raymond “Ray” Dean Brown, 73, a resident of Eldridge, Iowa died unexpectedly at his home on Monday, April 29, 2013.

A service to celebrate his life will be held at 1:00 P.M. Saturday, May 4, 2013 at the Chambers Funeral Home of Eldridge.  Private family graveside services will be held at the Rock Island National Cemetery.  Visitation will be from 11:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M. on Saturday at the funeral home.  Memorials may be made to the family.

He was born in Creston, Iowa on May 2, 1939, the son of Harold & Doris (Lake) Brown, grew up on farms in Creston and Prescott, Iowa and was a graduate of Prescott High School.  In 1958, he enlisted in the U.S. Army and while stationed at Ft. Carson in Colorado Springs, Colorado, he met and fell in love with Patricia Ann Pope who was serving in the U.S. Air Force.  They were married in Colorado Springs on April 23, 1960.  Upon their honorable discharges, they moved to Des Moines, Iowa where they became proud parents of three children.  In 1976, the family moved to Eldridge, Iowa. Ray & his family enjoyed taking summer vacations, camping and boating.

Ray worked in the HVAC industry for many years, most recently at Adel Wholesalers of Bettendorf, Iowa where he retired.

During his retirement, he devoted his time to restoring & renovating IH Tractors, Cub Cadet Tractors and attending auctions.  He was a member of the Antique Engine & Tractor Association in Geneseo, Illinois and the IH Collectors Chapter 5 in Iowa.  Ray & Pat participated in local parades and shows riding their Volkswagen trike and IH Tractors for many years.  Ray was a devoted husband & dad who cherished spending time with his family and with his faithful canine companions, Bandit & Suzie.

Those left to honor his memory include his children, Marcia (Steve) Larssen of Eldridge, Rebecca (Gary) Ginter of Walcott, Iowa and Randy Brown of Davenport, Iowa; his grandchildren, Jessica Alberhasky, Eric Larssen, Ryan McManaway, Justin Brown, Tyler Brown, Amanda Langston & Stephany Ginter; his great-grandchildren, Kyler Ginter, Sammy Brown, Kameron Brown & Melanie Alberhasky; and his sister, Shirley (James) Mulford of Johnston, Iowa.

In addition to his wife, Ray was preceded in death by his parents; his brother & sister-in-law, Richard & Nicola Brown of Burlington, Iowa; and his brother-in-law, Larry Miller of Wixom, Michigan.