Don E. Brown

Donald Earl Brown, 81, of Manhattan, died Friday, August 3rd, at the KU Medical Center in Kansas City. After moving to Manhattan in 1968 he started his career as a 6th-grade teacher at Marlatt Elementary School. He was also an assistant athletic director for the Manhattan Parks and Recreation Department where he was instrumental in starting the women's and the girl's softball teams in Manhattan. Don and his late wife Nancy also owned rental properties in the Manhattan and Ogden communities. Don was born in Larned, KS on September 4, 1936, son of the late Anne (Bauer) and Russell Brown, Sr. He was united in marriage on June 26, 1955, to Nancy Colleen Helvie at the Westside Church of God in Wichita, KS. He was a graduate of Plainview High School in Wichita and graduated with his Bachelor's degree from Wichita State University in 1968. Don is survived by his daughter, Terry Lynn Mills, of Emporia, KS; three sons Donald Lynn (Shari Schroeder) Brown, of Richmond, MO; David Lynn (Susan) Brown, of Wamego, KS, Daniel Lynn (Sherry) Brown, of Abilene, KS and his grandchildren: Robert (Lisa) Mils, Amanda (Shawn) Jahns, Whitney (Blake)Johnson, Anthony (Amanda) Brown, Amber Brown, Courtney Brown, Kiley (Tyler) Bates, Nathan Brown, Joshua Brown and 11 great-grandchildren. Don was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Nancy, their infant son- Ronald Lynn Brown as well as two brothers, Russell Jr. & Farren Brown. The family will receive friends from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM on Tuesday, August 7th at the funeral home. A funeral service will be held at 7:00 PM following the visitation at Irvin-Parkview Funeral Home & Cremation in Manhattan with Pastor Jason Kohler of the 1st Christian Church in Abilene will officiate. A private graveside service will be at the Pleasant Valley Cemetery in Bentley, KS on Wednesday at 11:00 a.m. The family requests any donations be directed to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital may be sent to the Irvin-Parkview, 1317 W. Poyntz, Manhattan, KS 66502. For more information, to send an online condolence or to send a gift go to the funeral home website, www.irvinparkview.com.