James Royce Brown

James Royce Brown, 88, of Little Rock, passed from this life, May 22, 2017. He was born June 8, 1928 in Bolivar, Tennessee to Roye and Louise Brown (deceased). He is survived by his wife, Freddie Jean Kirk of the home; son, James Richard Brown (Tina) of Little Rock; two grandsons, James Robert Brown of Little Rock and Thomas Reid Brown of Fayetteville, Arkansas; two sisters, Royelene (George) Pulliam and deceased, Barbara (Max) Grant, all of Bolivar, Tenn.; brother Cullen (Joan) Brown of Gonzales, Louisiana; and he also leaves behind many nephews, a niece and friends. Jim married the love of his life, Freddie Jean Kirk in 1950. Shortly afterwards, he left to serve his country in the US Army during the Korean War from 1950-1952. He returned from the war and worked with his father building houses in Bolivar. He decided to use his GI bill and enrolled at the University of Tennessee. He received his Bachelor of Science Civil Engineering in 1956. He worked for Texaco, Inc. – New Orleans, Louisiana, September 1956 thru June 1957; Koppers Company Unit Structures – Magnolia, Arkansas, June 1957 thru June 1968; Koppers Company, Inc. – Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, June 1968 thru May 1972 before moving to Little Rock. Here he joined Engineering Consultants, Inc. where he eventually became partner and then president. In 1988, he was so proud when his son was able to join him in business. He was a member of National Society of Professional Engineers, Arkansas Society of Professional Engineers, American Society of Civil Engineers, Fellow Committee on "Structural Condition Assessment & Rehabilitation of Building Standards", Subcommittee on "Seismic Rehabilitation of Buildings", Committee on "Design of Engineered Wood Construction Standards," American Institute of Timber Construction, Past Member: Technical Advisory Committee and Past Chairman: Technical Review Board. He enjoyed his profession of structural engineering for over 56 years. He enjoyed hunting, fishing and being with his family. He took joy in his son and grandsons, watching and supporting them in their endeavors. Visitation will be 10 a.m. Wednesday, May 24, 2017 with the funeral immediately following at 11 a.m. at Roller Chenal Funeral Home, 13801 Chenal Parkway, Little Rock, Arkansas 72211, (501) 224-8300. In lieu of flowers, the family request that you send a donation in his memory, to his church, Pleasant Valley Church of Christ, 10900 Rodney Parham Road, Little Rock, Arkansas 72212. Online guestbook: www.rollerfuneralhomes.com/chenal.