Kenneth Eugene Brown

Kenneth Eugene Brown, 66, of Whitehall, Mont., passed away peacefully in Butte, Mont., March 2, 2014, after a courageous six-month battle with cancer.

Ken was born in Connersville, Ind., Aug. 20, 1947, the first son of the late Alfred and Pearl Brown.

Soon after graduating from Brookville High School in 1963, Ken left Indiana to pursue a career in the U.S. Air Force. In 1974, he found himself stationed in Alaska at Elmendorf AFB. He quickly fell in love with the beauty and the adventure of the Last Frontier. In 1980, he was stationed in Alamogordo, N.M., but within a year was lured back north where he was more at home. Upon arriving in Alaska, Ken moved with his then wife Kathy and children, Denise and Ken, to the Mat-Su. He remained there for 30 years.

Ken’s time in the U.S. Air Force ended in 1988 when he retired after 20 years of service. His second career began at Fort Richardson, where he devoted himself to another 20 years of service, this time in the U.S. Army. He retired once again in 2009.

In 1994, Ken met Nancy and they began a life together that consisted of friendship, love and family. With loved ones in attendance, Ken and Nancy were wed in a beautifully intimate ceremony during the summer of 2000.

Ken and his wife Nancy relocated to Whitehall, Mont. He quickly fell in love with Montana’s open spaces, scenic mountains and rich history. In Montana, Ken found time to hunt, explore a new countryside and fit in a few rounds of golf. At home, Ken enjoyed his well-earned retirement by watching old Western movies, puttering around the house and spending time with his beautiful bride. He also enjoyed spending time with his mother-in-law and father-in-law, Art and Rose; and sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Karen and Lynn.

Ken’s greatest source of joy was spending time with his family and friends. Memories were built over countless weekends, camping and fishing for salmon from the banks of the Russian and Kenai rivers in Alaska with his family. He enjoyed time spent floating the Yukon River with his Alaska brothers on their many hunting trips. He also enjoyed playing softball, coaching American Legion baseball and cooking meals for friends and family. There was nothing Ken loved more than spending time with his wife, with his kids and with his grandkids. He found great joy supporting them as they perused their dreams.

Surviving are his wife, Nancy Brown of Whitehall, Mont.; his daughter and son-in-law, Denise and Vin Robinson of Anchorage; son and daughter-in-law, Ken and Jenny Brown of Dublin, Calif.; daughter and son-in-law, Angela Japhet and Charles Dirkson Jr. of Whitehall, Mont.; and son, Jeremy Galster of Anchorage; grandchildren, Alyssa and Steven Japhet of Whitehall, Mont., Noah and Jude Robinson of Anchorage, and Joel and Caleb Brown of Dublin; and brothers, Larry and Kirby Brown of Connersville, Ind.

Preceding him in death was his wife, Belinda (Lankford) Brown of Hampton, Va.; and his sister, Sheila Faye Brown of Connersville, Ind.

Memorial service is at 10 a.m., March 8 at K and L Mortuaries, 109 2nd St. W., Whitehall, MT 59759. Burial will follow at the Veteran’s Cemetery in Whitehall, Mont., with full military honors. A celebration of Ken’s life will follow at the Roadway Inn in Whitehall, Mont.