James Brown, 81, passed away at Kalispell Regional Medical Center on January 22, 2017 with his children at his side. He was born December 6, 1935, on the family farm in Smithsboro, Kentucky, to Merlin and Hassie Brown. Merlin was a foreman in the coal mines, and Hassie worked on the farm along with Jim, his brother Watson, and sister Zella Mae. Jim attended grades one through seven in a one-room schoolhouse. He later went to Alice Lloyd College in Pippa Passes, Kentucky. He met his future wife, Carol Mae Dunham, while both were working for the F.B.I. in Washington, D.C. They were married in 1955. After the birth of their son Curtis in 1956, they moved to Kalispell, Carol’s home town, where Jim worked first at Greig’s Dairy and later for the Equity Supply Company creamery. Their daughter Kathleen was born in 1958. Jim retired in 1990. His wife Carol passed away in 1991 after a long struggle with colon cancer. They had been married for almost 36 years.
Jim loved hunting, fishing, and spending time outdoors. He was an avid reader who was especially interested in military history and the history of the western frontier. He also enjoyed cooking and trying out new recipes and ingredients. In his later years he enjoyed watching the birds and squirrels and spending time in his garden. He regularly attended AA meetings, exercised at the Summit, and was a faithful member of the Bethlehem Lutheran Church. He is survived by his sister, Zella Mae Browning of Letcher, Kentucky; his son, Curtis Brown (Karen) of San Antonio, Texas; his daughter, Kathleen Pierce of Kalispell; and two grandchildren, Lauren and Matthew Brown of San Antonio. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, January 28, at 10:00 AM at the Buffalo Hill Funeral Home in Kalispell. Memorial contributions may be made in Jim’s name to Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 603 S. Main Street, Kalispell, MT 59901; or to The Nature Conservancy, 4245 N. Fairfax Drive, Suite 100, Arlington, VA 22203.