Clyde Allen "Brownie" Brown

Clyde Allen Brown, 94, passed away at Mercy Hospice in Johnston. A memorial service with time for sharing will be held on Saturday, March 27, 2021 from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. at Blank Golf Course, 808 County Line Road in Des Moines, IA.

Brownie was born on September 17, 1926 in Des Moines, IA to Acy Brown. He graduated from North High and operated numerous small businesses over the course of his career. As an avid photographer, he owned and operated Brownie’s Photos. He married Norma Usher Brown and to this union four children were born. They later divorced. He was a talented entertainer, always telling jokes and was a gifted singer - winning the crooner’s award in a Frank Sinatra Contest here in Des Moines. Brownie was a friendly man, known by many, and per his own accord “high on life” and joked that he did more with less. He was gifted in making people laugh and smile. Brownie was also an avid golfer and player of craps at Prairie Meadows.

After his retirement, Brownie worked for Polk County as the parking lot attendant for 19 years and then as the doorkeeper for the Iowa Legislators from 2012 to 2020. He was awarded the oldest working state employee.

He is survived by his sons, Douglas and Dale Brown of the San Francisco Bay Area, and Gregory Brown of West Des Moines; daughter, Laurie Schneider of West Des Moines; his forever friend, Pat Caswell and her children, Jeff Caswell, Jolene Brown, Jeanne Rackers and their families.

He was preceded in death by his former wife, Norma Brown.

Memorials may be directed to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society of West Des Moines and condolences expressed at www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com.

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