Obituary of V. Max Brown

Vernon Max Brown, 85, of Matheson, Colorado, went to be with his Lord and Savior on December 2, 2015 at Littleton Colorado. Max was born on November 20, 1930 to John William and Dyral Floreen (Minson) Brown in Mulvane, Kansas. Max was one of 4 children. He grew up in Mulvane helping with the family business, delivering ice. He, along with his brother, Dean, was responsible for delivering ice in the community starting at age 9. Later, his family was involved in a floor-sanding business where he and his brother would sand and refinish hardwood floors. He attended and graduated from Mulvane High School in 1950. It was there, in third grade, he met the love of his life, Barbara Rose Cornthwaite and they were married in 1952. After high school, Max worked several jobs in the Mulvane area including the Chevrolet Dealership, Western Auto, and at the grain elevator. In 1952, he was drafted into the U.S. Marine Corps and was sent to Kaneohe Marine Air Base in Kailua, Hawaii where he served two years. Max and Barbara spent their first two years of marriage there. Max had fond memories of that time, and also picked up playing the ukulele. After his military service, they returned to Mulvane where he started his own business doing final finish dirt grading for new home construction. He then went on to work at Boeing Aircraft. In 1956, he and Barbara purchased a farm near Matheson, CO. For three years he was a suitcase farmer raising wheat during the summer and returning to Mulvane after the crop was put in. In 1959, after a call from a former classmate, urging Max to apply for a job at Martin Marietta in Denver he accepted a position there. He then decided to place the farm in the soil bank program and moved to the Englewood area. He worked there for 29 years retiring in 1988 and returned to the farm full time. He and Barbara enjoyed winter trips in their motorhome going to places such as Texas, Arizona, and Florida. Thier favorite place was Key West, where Max and Barbara became acquainted with a Pastor of the Key West Baptist Temple. Pastor Wright allowed them to park their motorhome in the church parking lot. Max & Barbara had many fond memories there and made many friends. He would perform light handyman work at the church including picking up trash around the church yard. He loved attending the church services and Bible studies and would even play cards and games with the Pastor & his wife. Both he and Barbara enjoyed the many miles in the RV. The couple were blessed with three children. Timothy Max was born in 1959, Thomas John in 1960, and Alicia Rose in 1963. They loved farming and raising their family going back and forth from Englewood, CO and the farm in Matheson. Max was a hard worker. He also enjoyed his service as Director and later President and Vice President of the Lincoln County Farm Bureau. He actively served for 21 years. He attended many Colorado Farm Bureau Annual Meetings and a few American Farm Bureau Annual Meetings. Max accepted Jesus as his personal Savior when he was 16 years old at a revival. He and Barbara went to Riverside Baptist Church in Denver where he was an ordained deacon for many years. He was also a member of the Central Bible Church of Matheson and at the time of his death was attending Hi-Plains Baptist Church in Limon. His love for the Lord and his desire to serve Him grew each day, always having his sights on heaven. He was preceded in death by his parents, 2 brothers, Bobby & Dean and brother-in-law Dick Watkins. He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Barbara, of Matheson, CO, son, Timothy (Johanna) of Limon, CO, son, Thomas (Pam) of Limon, CO, and daughter, Alicia (Bob) Matoba of Littleton, CO, five grandchildren: Tyler (Kristen) Matoba, Erica (Dylan) Barry, Tanner Matoba, Jonathan Brown, and Alaina Matoba, and one great granddaughter, Ava Barry. He is also survived by his two sisters: Doris Watkins and Norma Jean Bachman (Jerry), and many nieces and nephews.