KENNETH BROWN
Kenneth David Brown, age 70, passed away Monday, July 6, 2020 after a hard fought, four-year battle with esophageal cancer.
He was born Dec 14, 1949 in Hot Springs, Arkansas to the late Calvin Clem Brown and Maxine Inez Norman Brown. He is preceded in death by his only sibling, Norma ‘Su’ Brown Warner.
Ken is survived by his wife of 25 years, Terri Lambeth Brown and three children, Jeremy (& Nikki) Gingery of De Queen, Jessica (& David Jensen) of Georgetown, Texas, and Kelli (& Darrell) Williams of Texarkana, Texas. He also leaves behind six grandchildren, who love him dearly and brought him much joy. Kylee and Kaden McGaha, Presli and Bristol Jensen and Grady and Ava Gingery. Other family to cherish his memory are brothers-in-law Dave Braughton of Hot Springs, Gary (& Bonnie) Lambeth, Barry (& Charlene) Lambeth of De Queen, a special cousin Larry Fikes of Norman, Oklahoma, numerous nieces and nephews as well as a host of friends, colleagues and comrades in arms.
He graduated high school in Denver Colorado, began private flight training and started college in the fall. He made the decision to leave school after the first semester and volunteered for Vietnam. There he earned several medals, including the Bronze Star with oak leaf clusters, two Distinguished Flying Cross’ as well as other medals.
He served one term ‘in country’, 1968-1969, as a Huey helicopter pilot during which his ship was shot by enemy fire on two occasions and his flying skills were instrumental in the capture of an enemy machine gun. After his tour in Vietnam Ken was a flight instructor at Fort Rucker. Upon his Honorable Discharge from the Army he made a civilian career of flying helicopters ending with a 15-year stint at Weyerhaeuser Aviation based in De Queen, Arkansas.
The discipline, loyalty, and patriotism he learned in the Army never left him. He is a true Patriot as friends and family will attest.
Due to Covid-19 there will be a come and go public visitation Saturday July 11, from 10 am to 1 pm in the Wilkerson Funeral Home chapel. Outdoor services will be held Monday July 13, at 11 am at the Beacon Hill Seventh-Day Adventist cemetery.
The family would like to thank the Honorary pall bearers, Jack Eller, George Anzelmo, Larry Fikes and Barry Lambeth, all Vietnam Veterans, the Army, and the Arkansas Chapter of the Patriot Guard Riders for escorting our American Hero.
Flowers may be sent to Wilkerson Funeral Home or you may choose to honor Ken by donating to the Esophageal Cancer Action Network or the Wounded Warrior Project.
You may register on-line at www.wilkersonfuneralhomes. com.