Obituaries

Mason D. Brown

Photo of Mason D. Brown
Mason D. Brown, 89, of Stuttgart, died Feb.21, 2015. Mason was born on Dec. 3, 1925 to Walter and Agnes Brown in Aplin, Ark. (Perry County). Mason is preceded in death by his parents, Walter and Agnes Brown, and a brother, Ned Brown. In 1937 he moved with his parents to Jefferson County and lived near Altheimer. He graduated from Altheimer High School and shortly thereafter entered the Army Signal Corps. He served in the Philippine Islands during WWII and in Japan during the first year of the American occupation. While in Japan, he observed the surrender ceremony aboard the US Navy battleship, USS Missouri. Mason was married to Jane Stillwell on Dec. 24, 1944 until her death in June 1994. Mason and Jane had two daughters. In 1948, he opened an appliance store in Humphrey for the purpose of serving the Riceland Electric Cooperative customers. Upon closing the appliance store, he was employed by the Maytag Company as a Maytag regional sales manager until he retired with 34 years of service. Upon separation from the Army, he remained in the Army Reserve and Arkansas National Guard. He organized and commanded the first National Guard Company in Stuttgart. He retired out of the Army in 1975 as a Lieutenant Colonel. During his military career he received many decorations and citations including the World War II Victory Ribbon, Good Conduct Medal, American Theater Ribbon, AP Theater Ribbon, two Bronze Service Stars, Philippine Liberation Ribbon, and one Bronze Star. Mason married Clara M. Willis in 1996. He was a member of First Christian Church in Stuttgart. He was a 32-degree Mason, where he was a 50-year member and a member of several veterans' organizations. He was a lifelong member of the Lion's Club in Stuttgart and received the Melvin Jones Fellowship award. Survivors include daughters, Mary Rebecca (Jack) Jones, Bryant and Pamela Jane (Michael) Wylie, Baton Rouge, La. In addition to his own children, he leaves two stepdaughters, Gail Shrum and Donna (Gene) Eddins, Stuttgart. Mason is also survived by four grandchildren, Ethan (Heather) Wylie, Humphrey; Kelsie (Josh) Nichols, Denver, Colo.; Jillian (Anton) Janik, Little Rock; and Melissa Shrum, Conway. He is survived by one great-grandchild, Jaden Wylie. He is also survived by one sister, LaJuan (J.L.) Ford, Bryant. Visitation will be from 9:30-10:30 Tuesday at Turpin Funeral Home followed by a graveside military service at 11 a.m. at Lone Tree Cemetery, Stuttgart. A memorial service will be at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday at First Christian Church of Stuttgart. The family suggests memorials may be made to First Christian Church, Stuttgart, Ark., or any church of your choice. Please go to www.turpin-co.com to sign the online guestbook.

Published February 22, 2015

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