John Willis Brown, age 92 of Ozark, Missouri, went to Heaven Saturday morning, August 7, 2021, after a valiant battle with Covid 19. He was born May 22, 1929, in Santa Barbara’s first medical facility, Cottage Hospital. John’s parents were Donald Allen Brown (Bellows Falls, VT) and Thyra Catlin Brown (White Sulphur Springs, MT).
Growing up, John lived with his parents and sister Marilyn in Santa Barbara, California, Vermont, New Hampshire and Arlington, Virginia. His dad was an army colonel, and his mom was a substitute teacher and homemaker. John’s favorite subjects in school were track and field, art and mechanical engineering. He excelled as a High School Cadet and chose to leave his senior year to join the United States Marine Corp.
While a marine, his artistic abilities were used to illustrate camouflage tactics and other strategic training materials. He had the opportunity to go to officer training in Annapolis but chose instead to pursue art when he got out.
At age nineteen, he met Joan Brown while attending Santa Barbara College. The day before they were married, John received a letter from the marines that he was needed for the Korean War. A week later, he reported for duty at Quantico, VA. He served his country bravely in Okinawa and Korea.
After the war, he attended National School of Art for two years in Washington D.C. He worked as an artist for North American Aviation Space Division on Saturn V Rocket Program. He later went on to open his own successful graphic design business. He illustrated several medical books on burn injury and reconstructive surgery.
John enjoyed sailing and raced his Thistle Class boat “Ferrari” to become Western Regional Champion—an area covering everything from the Mississippi River to Hawaii. He loved model railroading and was a longtime member of the Pasadena Model Railroad Club, one of the oldest and largest HO scale model railroads in the world.
Following Joan’s death in later years, he met and married Nancy Hasse. The two moved from Orange County, California to Ozark, Missouri. John and Nancy enjoyed their time on the golf course and were members of Fremont Hills Country Club.
He enjoyed breakfasts and model railroading with good friends, reading, model building and history. He loved his family, friends and country and was passionate about preserving our constitution and freedoms.
John leaves behind his wife Nancy; daughters Christy, Suzy, Jennie and Judy; grandchildren Lisa, Mac, Heath, Evan, Stephen, John, Julianne, Danny, Billy and Brie; great-grandchildren Cedar and Ryann.
A memorial service for John will be in California (Forest Lawn, Cypress) and is being planned with full military honors. Services and arrangements and under the care and direction of Barnes Family Funeral Home, Ozark, Missouri. Online condolences may be shared at www.barnesfamilyfunerals.com
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Roger Wasson says
August 12, 2021 at 2:11 pmI will miss him more than anyone knows. I had breakfast with John every Wednesday morning for the past 14 years. Great friend, even better gentleman….you always knew where he stood. Will miss his grin every Wednesday morning.
Jim Gerstley says
August 13, 2021 at 5:11 amIt was very sad to hear of John’s passing, and even more so as a result of COVID. I worked with John at the Pasadena Model Railroad Club on scenery for awhile at their current location. He was very easy to work with and always appreciative of any of my limited accomplishments. Reading the obituary I realize we had a lot more in common. I worked for North American Aviation’s Rocketdyne division for 38 years. I also crewed on several sailboats in the Los Angeles area including a 12 metre and an Ericsson 30 and very much enjoyed the sport. It was a privilege to have met John and work with him on our mutual hobby. May he rest in peace.
Robert Googooian says
August 13, 2021 at 12:33 pmVery sad to hear about John. He was my first mentor when I joined the The Pasadena Model Railroad club some 37 years ago. He taught me a lot about the fine arts of slinging plaster and casting rocks on a model railroad. He was instrumental in painting our mural inside the layout space, and many of the scenic rock formations still display his talent and skills. He was also a good guy with a sense of humor. We shared a lot of Saturday morning breakfasts at the IHOP before starting work sessions, and he taught me many things, not just model railroading.
Katrina Albertine Green says
August 13, 2021 at 12:42 pmI am so sorry for your loss. I really enjoyed when we all got together at Jim’s for supper.
Peter Ely says
August 13, 2021 at 2:19 pmJohn was a senior member of the Pasadena Club when I originally joined and he was a very skilled and welcoming member of the Club. He will be very missed. I appreciate all he did for us. Peter
Simon Hessabi says
August 13, 2021 at 4:04 pmWhile I joined long after he moved to Ozark, I greatly appreciate the work John has done for our model railroading club. It wouldn’t be what it is today without him, and he will truly be missed.
Mike Panton PMRRM #203 says
August 13, 2021 at 5:35 pmI will miss John. When I joined the Pasadena Model Railroad Club 25 years ago, John was one of my mentors and helped me “fit” into the club. I still remember his scenery and benchwork work at the club. I still treasure his 3 Virginia 2-6-6-6 Allegheny locos and 40 coal hoppers he gave to me before he moved to Ozark.
Mike Panton says
August 13, 2021 at 5:40 pmI will miss John. He was one of my mentors when I joined the Pasadena Model RR Club, 25 years ago. I still remember his scenery and benchwork at the club. I still treasure his Virginia 2-6-6-8 Allegheny locos and 40 coal hoppers he gave to me before his move to Ozark.
Linda Louise Osborn says
August 14, 2021 at 3:12 pmJohn will truly be missed! The father of some amazing girls that he was very proud of. John was a Christian and though he didn’t speak of this often, his outward joy and inward peace displayed his trust in the Lord Jesus. I look forward to seeing him one day in heaven. Much love and prayers for the family he left behind.
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