Donald E. "Don" Brown, Jr., 84, of Berryton, passed away on Thursday, February 9, 2023. He was born March 19, 1938 in Topeka, the son of Donald E. and Helen E. (Moran) Brown, Sr. He attended Highland Park High School and Silver Lake High School. He was a Navy Veteran, serving from 1956 - 1960 where he served on Guam. Don owned and operated California Mobil Station near SE 29th & California for 12 years. From 1972 - 1996, he served in the Kansas Army National Guard before retiring. He later worked for American Lawn and Leisure.

Don was a member of Capitol Post No. 1 of the American Legion and the V.F.W. Post No. 400.

Don married Brenda Leigh Wagner on January 27, 1960. They were married for 31 years and later divorced. He later married Judy Kay Cook, his high school crush in 1992. They reunited again at a dance which is something they both loved to do. The reunion proved to be a happy one for them. They loved entertaining family and friends. On holidays, their home was an "Open House" for all. Judy preceded him in death on February 6, 2019.

Survivors include three children, Donald (Vicki) Brown, III, Cindy (Steve) Minshull and Darryl Brown, three step-children, Larry Cook, Jerry Cook and Lisa Harris, nineteen grandchildren, thirty-three great-grandchildren and his sister, Sharon Walker.

A Celebration of Don’s Life will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, February 17, 2023 at Dove Southeast Chapel, 2843 SE Minnesota Ave. Private inurnment will take place in Mount Calvary Cemetery. Family and friends will meet at 1:15 p.m. at the Berryton United Methodist Church to share memories and enjoy light refreshments.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given to the Museum of Kansas National Guard, 125 SE Airport Dr., Topeka, Kansas 66619.

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