Dale Brown 83, of Las Cruces, N.M., died Saturday, Aug. 9, 2008, at his home. He was born Jan. 11, 1925, in Bloodland, Mo., to Franklin Belle and Mary Hulett Brown.
In 1941, the Brown family sold their general store and farm to the U.S. Government, which eventually became Fort Leonard Wood. They moved to Roby, Mo., upon graduation from high school, Dale joined the Merchant Marines. During WWII, he helped support and supply the troops fighting in the South Pacific Theater. He was offered and accepted a job in Whittier, Alaska, where he worked until receiving a letter stating, “The Army wants you” and in 1950 was drafted and joined the U.S. Army’s CO “G” 15th Infantry Regiment. After being honorably discharged in 1952, he moved to Kansas City, Mo., where he met the love of his life and married Aggie Gilstrap on Sept. 10, 1955.
In 1956, Dale joined the North Kansas City Fire Department and medically retired as a snorkel driver in 1978. While working with the fire department, Dale and his family moved to Smithville, Mo., in 1968, where they lived for over 22 years. Dale and Aggie bought their first R.V. and traveled the United States and Canada for over 18 months before settling down in Las Cruces, N.M., in 1989 to be closer to family.
Dale was an avid outdoorsman, and while he enjoyed woodworking, hunting, fishing and camping, he was a “Wild Turkey Sportsman.” He was also a member of the Jornada Masonic Lodge #70 AF & AM, the Las Cruces Wild Turkey Sportsman Association and the Good Sam Dona Ana Peppers Travel Club.
He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Aggie Brown of the family home; daughters, Susan Dale Brown Baker and husband, Dr. William T. Baker of Las Cruces, N.M., and Karen Beth Brown of North Kansas City, Mo. He is also survived by three grandchildren, Matthew Brown Baker, Katlyn Gray Baker and Zachary Thomas Baker all of Las Cruces, N.M., and his beloved Yorky, Punkin.
A memorial service will be held at noon Saturday, Aug. 23, 2008, at the Getz Funeral Home Chapel. Officiating will be Dr. Gary Worden of the Fellowship Baptist Church of Pampa, Texas. A private family committal of cremains will take place at another date at his beloved Paddy Creek in Missouri.
The family would like to give a special thanks to Mesilla Valley Hospice and the staff for the wonderful care provided to Dale, especially his nurse, Jon, and aide, Patti.
In lieu of flowers, the family would request that donations be made to Mesilla Valley Hospice, 299 E. Montana, Las Cruces, N.M. 88005. 575-523-4700.
Arrangements by Getz Funeral Home, corner of Solano and Bowman Ave., Las Cruces, N.M. 526-2419. To sign the local online guest book, go to www.GetzFuneralHome.com
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