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James Brown passed away at his home on October 8, 2026, surrounded by family. James Edward Brown was born to Viola (Schumacher) and Burnell Brown on September 8, 1945, in Smyth County, Virginia. The family returned to Iowa in 1948 and Jim attended school in Otho and graduated from Saint Edmond in 1963.
Jim served in the United States Army from 1965-1967. He came home from Vietnam and reunited with the love of his life, Diane Gray. The couple eloped to South Dakota and were married on December 20, 1968. They made their home and raised their children in Palmgrove. They moved back into Jim's childhood home in 1997.
Jim was a laborer and truck driver. He worked for Dickey Clay, Brazos Trucking, and Decker Truck Line, retiring in 2010.
He was a great Dad and Grandpa. He was handy and always willing to help his kids and grandkids with home projects. He loved following the Iowa Hawkeyes, Cleveland Browns, and Lakers. He was a lifelong Brooklyn/Los Angeles Dodgers fan.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Diane; his grandson, Kelvin Brown; his parents; his sister, Mary Ellen Phillips; and his brother, Bill Brown.
He is survived by his children, Ronette (Arnulfo) Rosales Brown, son Ryan (Hope) Brown, and Lindsey (Dennis) Milligan. He will miss his grandchildren Riley Bosch, Katelyn (Jess) Clausen, Ian Bosch, Clara Brown, and great-grandson Jaire Bosch. He is also survived by his sister, Margaret Barnett, and brother, Mike Brown.
A visitation will be held Tuesday, October 13th, at Gunderson Funeral Home from 2-4 p.m., followed by a time of remembrance.