Ernest Albert Brown

Life’s Reflection

Ernest A. Brown, 97, passed away peacefully on August 30th, at Saint Luke’s Hospice House in Kansas City, Missouri. He was born on January 26, 1919 in Waco, Texas to the union of Wes and Anna Jane (Mucker) Brown. He was the oldest of five children. He was preceded in death by his parents; his younger sister, Ernestine; brother, Lewis; sister, Dorothy; and firstborn grandson, Curtis III.

Ernest moved from Waco to Bristow, Oklahoma before his first birthday. He lived with his maternal grandparents for nearly two years. He confessed his faith in Jesus Christ at the  age of 19 and was baptized at Pilgrim Baptist Church which is still in Bristow today.  He loved the Lord and people and enjoyed good singing and prayer.

Ernest was educated in the Bristow School District and graduated from Bristow High School. He went on to excel at Langston University in Langston, Oklahoma majoring in Industrial Arts until he was drafted into the United States Army after almost two years there. He was stationed at Fort Sill, Oklahoma then was sent to Fort Huachuca (pronounced Wachuga) Arizona for basic training.  He served in WW II and afterward journeyed to Shreveport, Louisiana for additional training.  Ernest later went to the Southwest Pacific for another year then on to Guadalcanal for one year. He went to combat in Guadalcanal in times that were very trying for young men in the military, however he persevered and was sustained through The Mighty Hand of God and the prayers of a strong, loving, Christian prayer warrior…. his Mother, Anna Jane.

Ernest also had tours in Bougainville, an island in the South Pacific and Finch Haven.  He remained in the South Pacific until the war ended in 1946.  He left Finch Haven and was  stationed in San Francisco, California before receiving an honorable discharge in Fort Leavenworth, Kansas in 1946.  Ernest Brown, Technical Sergeant, 25^th Infantry served his country honestly and faithfully. He spent 23 months overseas and served as Platoon Sergeant in charge of 24 Infantrymen. He supervised, directed, and coordinated activities of men. He was familiar with all Army methods of entrenching and camouflage. He was awarded 3 Battle Stars, Good Conduct Medal, Bronze Star, and Atlantic Pacific Theater Ribbon.

After his discharge he returned to Bristow for a short time before relocating to Kansas City, Missouri to attend RT Cole Trade School.  He diligently worked at Standard Oil Company for a few years while attending school.  After completing RT Cole, he began traveling to build buildings. One of his proudest accomplishments was going to Lansing, Michigan for a few years to help build Michigan State University.  After his work was completed at Michigan State he traveled to the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor to work there. Ernest traveled worldwide assisting in building many of our famous structures today including those in NYC, The Federal Building in Kansas City, Missouri and the list goes on…. He was a lifetime member (64 years) of Bricklayers and Allied Craft Workers Local #15 MO KS NE which STILL continued to call him for jobs. Ernest was a leftie and very creative, precise and meticulous with his left hand. He took great pride in all of his work and was a firm believer that one is never too old to learn, grow and work, thus idleness was not in his DNA.

After returning to Kansas City, Ernest was hired as the Agency Director for the Department of Housing and and Urban Development (HUD) in Kansas City, Missouri. He enjoyed working in Management, but his passion was still building. He continued superb workmanship, (skillfully using that left hand) in his career as a master builder and apprenticed many. When he could no longer build, he supervised contractors and continued to teach as his daughter, Renée drove him throughout the city to various work sites. When he was no longer able to ride he gave instructions by phone to contractors or dictation via Renée.

Mr. B’ as known by some was an avid studier and never ceased to learn. He believed in building his vocabulary and memory. He selected new words from his favorite tattered dictionary, wrote them down and memorized them so that he could use them when speaking and writing. His love of English and writing led him to write many poems and letters to his daughter with the writing of a Hallmark Card Calligrapher.  He was a perfectionist thus all that he did had to be as near perfect as humanly possible. He also knew several foreign languages and would share words on occasion. He was a lover of all sports, law and politics and could converse with anyone on any level. He enjoyed sports commentators and attorneys and followed some of their careers especially Stephen A. Smith, F. Lee Bailey and Johnnie Cochran.

Ernest also enjoyed barbeque and built his own bbq pit in his backyard before they became popular. He considered himself a Pitmaster long before the term was ever thought of. He created sauces and kept the recipes secret. He was also a great cook and enjoyed cooking diverse dishes in the kitchen. His presentation of food made even a Dagwood sandwich look good. He loved fashion, manicuring his lawn, traveling and Cadillacs.  Also affectionately known as Cadillac Brown, he took pride in buying them often throughout his lifetime.

Ernest was a warm, caring and sensitive soul who didn’t mind showing his sensitive side. He cried often, but was certainly still ‘A Man’s Man’! He loved his grandchildren and had a special bond with each one. He saw himself when he saw Christian. He was a proud man who stood tall and stately. Many of the things he was taught in the military (and home) were displayed during his lifetime such as punctuality, discipline, integrity, order, respect for others and professionalism.

Ernest leaves to cherish his memory and continue his legacy; one daughter; the love of his life/his namesake, Ernestine Renée Walker (Curtis); special son, Wendell E. Guess (Diana); two grandchildren, Leah R. Walker; and Christian D. Walker; one beloved sister, Earlene Brown; special nieces, Donna M. Chatman (Floyd), Grandview, Missouri; Beverly K. Taylor (Jay) of Plano, Texas; and Margo G. Johnson of Grandview, Missouri; special great nephew, Julius Elder (Angie) of Wichita, Kansas; cousin, Doreatha Harper (Milton) of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; special friends of the three Pea’s, Nellie; and Vivian; along with other nieces, nephews, friends and neighbors.

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