Wesley Brown
August 9, 1927 (New Lenox, IL) - December 11, 2013 (Springfield, IL)
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Parents: Raymond and Gladys (Batson) Brown
Spouse: Charlotte (Breeden) Brown Children: Courtney McRoberts, Wesley Brown, Jr. High School Attended: Joliet Township High School College Attended: University of Richmond (Virginia) Military Service: U.S. Army Occupation: District Sales Manager at Country Companies Insurance |
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SPRINGFIELD, IL - Wesley W. Brown passed away peacefully on Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2013, at home with his family by his side at 86 years of age.
On Aug. 9, 1927, in New Lenox, Ill., Wesley was born, the son of Raymond W. and Gladys B. Brown.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
Mr. Brown is survived by his wife of 61 years, Charlotte Breeden Brown; brothers, Douglas (Clare) Brown and Wayne (Dana) Brown; daughter, Courtney (Robert H. III) McRoberts; son, Wesley (Robin) Brown Jr.; grandchildren: Whitney (Nicholas) Silva, Robert McRoberts IV, Jennifer Brown, and Christopher Brown; great-grandchildren: Natalie Novack, Patrick Silva, and Henry Silva.
After serving 19 months in the U.S. Army, Mr. Brown attended the University of Richmond on a basketball scholarship. While there, his academic accomplishments included being elected to serve as President of the Sophomore Class, President of the Senior Class of the School of Business, President of Theta Chi fraternity, and President of the Interfraternity Council. He was member of Omicron Delta Kappa (national honorary leadership fraternity), and elected a Who's Who of American Colleges; furthermore, Mr. Brown was voted Man of the Year during his senior year. With those many accomplishments, he graduated from the University of Richmond in 1951.
Throughout Mr. Brown's life he was an accomplished athlete. During his time at University of Richmond, he was captain of the Richmond Spiders basketball team. In Mr. Brown's senior year he earned recognition from the Associated Press by being named to the All-State Mythical Five and the All Big Six Team in the Southern Conference. Also, during his senior year, the Syracuse Nationals and the Minneapolis Lakers of the National Basketball Association contacted Mr. Brown. Later in life he excelled in tennis, snow skiing, volleyball, golf and of course, basketball.
Following his father's footsteps, in 1953 Mr. Brown joined Country Companies Insurance in Cook County. He was promoted to the Agency Manager in Lake County, and in 1960 he became Agency Manager in Sangamon County serving in that capacity until his retirement in 1992. During his years with Country Companies, Mr. Brown earned multiple All-Star and All-American honors. His numerous community service involvements included the United Way, Junior Achievement, Habitat for Humanity, and President of the Y.M.C.A. Board.
Mr. Brown was an active member of Westminster Presbyterian Church. He enjoyed spending time with family and friends, especially fishing trips to Canada and time at his home in Florida where he enjoyed watching all sports, keeping his mind sharp with crossword puzzles and Sudoku, and reading courtroom drama novels.
We will celebrate Wes's life with a memorial service at 11 a.m., Saturday, Dec. 21, 2013, at Westminster Presbyterian Church, Rev. Julie Wells-Blythe officiating. A reception will follow the service in the church parish hall.
Memorials may be made to Memorial Home Healthcare-Hospice, 720 N. Bond, Springfield, IL 62702, Southwind Park, 4965 S. 2nd St., Springfield, IL 62703, or Westminster Presbyterian Church, 533 S. Walnut St., Springfield, IL 62704.
On Aug. 9, 1927, in New Lenox, Ill., Wesley was born, the son of Raymond W. and Gladys B. Brown.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
Mr. Brown is survived by his wife of 61 years, Charlotte Breeden Brown; brothers, Douglas (Clare) Brown and Wayne (Dana) Brown; daughter, Courtney (Robert H. III) McRoberts; son, Wesley (Robin) Brown Jr.; grandchildren: Whitney (Nicholas) Silva, Robert McRoberts IV, Jennifer Brown, and Christopher Brown; great-grandchildren: Natalie Novack, Patrick Silva, and Henry Silva.
After serving 19 months in the U.S. Army, Mr. Brown attended the University of Richmond on a basketball scholarship. While there, his academic accomplishments included being elected to serve as President of the Sophomore Class, President of the Senior Class of the School of Business, President of Theta Chi fraternity, and President of the Interfraternity Council. He was member of Omicron Delta Kappa (national honorary leadership fraternity), and elected a Who's Who of American Colleges; furthermore, Mr. Brown was voted Man of the Year during his senior year. With those many accomplishments, he graduated from the University of Richmond in 1951.
Throughout Mr. Brown's life he was an accomplished athlete. During his time at University of Richmond, he was captain of the Richmond Spiders basketball team. In Mr. Brown's senior year he earned recognition from the Associated Press by being named to the All-State Mythical Five and the All Big Six Team in the Southern Conference. Also, during his senior year, the Syracuse Nationals and the Minneapolis Lakers of the National Basketball Association contacted Mr. Brown. Later in life he excelled in tennis, snow skiing, volleyball, golf and of course, basketball.
Following his father's footsteps, in 1953 Mr. Brown joined Country Companies Insurance in Cook County. He was promoted to the Agency Manager in Lake County, and in 1960 he became Agency Manager in Sangamon County serving in that capacity until his retirement in 1992. During his years with Country Companies, Mr. Brown earned multiple All-Star and All-American honors. His numerous community service involvements included the United Way, Junior Achievement, Habitat for Humanity, and President of the Y.M.C.A. Board.
Mr. Brown was an active member of Westminster Presbyterian Church. He enjoyed spending time with family and friends, especially fishing trips to Canada and time at his home in Florida where he enjoyed watching all sports, keeping his mind sharp with crossword puzzles and Sudoku, and reading courtroom drama novels.
We will celebrate Wes's life with a memorial service at 11 a.m., Saturday, Dec. 21, 2013, at Westminster Presbyterian Church, Rev. Julie Wells-Blythe officiating. A reception will follow the service in the church parish hall.
Memorials may be made to Memorial Home Healthcare-Hospice, 720 N. Bond, Springfield, IL 62702, Southwind Park, 4965 S. 2nd St., Springfield, IL 62703, or Westminster Presbyterian Church, 533 S. Walnut St., Springfield, IL 62704.