Leroy Brown

LeRoy Brown, 80 died peacefully Saturday, March 14, 2009 at Mercy Hospice in Johnston. Funeral mass will be 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, March 18, 2009 at All Saints Catholic Church in Des Moines. Burial will be at Glendale Cemetery. Visitation will be 3:00 – 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 17 at the church, with a vigil service starting at 7:00 p.m.
Born June 10, 1928 in Fenton, Iowa, he grew up on a farm just outside of Gruver, Iowa, where he graduated high school. After high school, he enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps ub 1946 and became an Aircraft Mechanic, MAG 33, stationed in Southern California. LeRoy became a member of the Marine Corps Reserves in 1948 and was granted an honorable discharge in 1950 as a Private First Class.
After returning from the Marine’s LeRoy worked for the Rock Island Railroad as a wood and steel bridge builder before attending AIB. As a student at AIB, he met the love of his life, Ruth Heithoff, and the two were married May 21, 1951 and have celebrated 57 years of marriage.
After graduating from AIB he went to work for Ruan Transportation Corp. He worked for Ruan for 43 years as the Senior Director of Management Information Systems. While working, LeRoy was a charter member of the National Machine Accountin Association, now known as Data Processing Management Association. He was also a member of Iowa Trucking Association and The Iowa Accounting and Finance Council where he served as President. After retiring from Ruan, he went to work for the USDA for 2 years and then to Pineer where he has worked for the last 17 years. He worked 40 hours a week or more until this past January. He also served on the City of Des Moines Zoning Board of Adjustment for 6 years.
LeRoy was a volunteer leader for the Cub Scouts. He belonged to the Knights of Columbus, the Fairs & Squares square dance club, the Dowling Club and the American Legion Post 374. He enjoyed gardening and watching girl’s basketball and softball.
LeRoy is survived by his loving wife, Ruth; his children: Steven (Kathy) Brown of Urbandale, Nancy (Johnny) Austin of Pleasant Hill, Craig (Janet) Brown of Ankeny, James (Diane) Brown of Mokena, IL, and Curt (Crissy) Brown of West Des Moines; 13 grandchildren: Tyler, Travis, Joseph, Jacquelyn, Patrick, Summer, Austin, Logan, Nate and Madison Brown, Ryan, Adam, and Andrea Austin; 4 great-grandchildren: Kara, Morgan, and David Austin, and Macie Brown; his brother David (Shirley) Brown of Estherville; and his sisters: Rosemarie Williams of Gruver, and Kathleen Hewitt of Shakopee, MN, and his sister-in-law Shirley Wetzel of Collinsville, IL. He was preceded in death by his parents, Wallace and Zelma (Ditsworth) Brown; and his brothers Russell and Ronald.
LeRoy will be remembered by many for his stories, pennies, and Big Red gum.
Memorial contributions may be made to Mercy Hospice in Johnston or All Saints Catholic Church.
www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com

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