James T “Jim” Brown, 92, of Pampa passed away on May 15, 2022 in Pampa.
Services will be at 10:00 AM on Saturday, May 21, 2022 at the First Presbyterian Church with John Curry and Commissioned Pastor Nancy Ruff of the First Presbyterian of Clarendon, officiating. Burial will follow at Fairview Cemetery under the direction of Carmichael-Whatley Funeral Directors and Crematory.
The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Friday, May 20, 2022 from 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM.
Jim was born to Jessie and Felix Brown in Houston on August 6, 1929 and graduated as a petroleum engineer from the University of Houston in 1952 This early training and education brought him and his first wife, Betty, to Pampa soon after. Jim began a second career as a successful business owner of Brown-Freeman Men’s Wear in the mid 1960’s until his retirement in the early 1990’s. Jim was twice lucky in marriage - first to Betty Wilson, from 1953 to 1991 and then to Betty’s lifelong friend, Joan Stroup English from 1996 to 2006. He was profoundly committed to loving and caring for both women throughout their marriages until their untimely deaths. Above all, Jim was a family man, and welcomed so many of us into his extended family acting as a devoted father, grandfather, and great-grandfather whether or not a blood relationship existed. Community involvement included active membership in the Presbyterian Church, the Pampa Country Club, the “Martini Club,” and multiple other social activities and civic and philanthropic causes. Jim was an avid and knowledgeable collector of Native American art and greatly enjoyed reconstructing pottery by painstakingly piecing shards back together with the patience of a true engineer. He loved to travel, both at home and abroad, and often built his trips around beautiful golf courses and visits to dear friends.
Perhaps, Jim Brown can be best described in three words, “Life is Good.” Despite enduring many of life’s trials and tribulations, Jim’s indomitable spirit, and resilience allowed him to embrace the true meaning of “Life is Good.” He lived, he laughed, and most of all, he loved greatly. He will be remembered for his kindness, his impeccable manners, and his zest to make everyday a good day. He will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him. Each of us are greatly enriched for having had Jim in our lives.
Jim was preceded in death by parents, Jessie and Felix Brown; stepmother, Maxine Brown; wife, Betty Fern Wilson Brown; son, Bruce Brown; and wife, Joan Stroup English Brown.
He is survived by his brother, Michael Brown (Amity Baker) of Burlington, Vermont; four children, Jamie English Westcott of Denver, Colorado, Masood Jabbar (Laurie) of San Diego, California; Stanley Mong (Pam) of Baton Rouge, Louisana, and Edelma Huntley (David) of Santa Fe, New Mexico; eight grandchildren, Claire Westcott (Ryan Stevens) of Denver, Colorado, Jay Westcott IV (Lin) of Beijing, China, Farrah Bailey and Faris Jabbar of San Francisco, California, Connor and Sean Jabbar of San Diego, California, Michael Mong (Kristi) of Pass Christian, Mississippi, and Brandon Mong (Ashley Hinton) of New Orleans, Louisiana; three great-grandchildren, Vivian Westcott of Beijing, China, and Lauren and Andrew Mong of Pass Christian, Mississippi; niece and nephew, Amy Brown and Gabe Strader-Brown of San Francisco, California; and many dear friends here in Pampa and spanning the globe
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America, 322 8th Avenue, 16th Floor, New York, NY 10001; Susan G. Komen for the Cure, P.O. Box 660843, Dallas, TX 75266-0843, or Texas High Plains Epilepsy Association, 1411 E Amarillo Blvd, Amarillo, TX 79107.
Please sign the online registry at www.carmichael-whatley.com.
