Carbondale - Richard Leon Brown, 69, passed away on Tuesday, March 11, 2025, at his home near Carbondale, Kansas. He was born on September 12, 1955, in Jesup, Iowa, the son of Lyle and Thelma Eileen (Milks) Brown.

Rich grew up in Iowa, had lived in Arkansas and Oklahoma before moving to Carbondale 4 years ago.

Rich was a heavy metal machinist, building industrial air conditioners for Trane Technologies in Ft. Smith, Arkansas. He had been a lifelong guitarist and had played in several bands. During his High School days a newspaper article in the Oelwein, IA paper referred to him as baby face Eric Clapton. He enjoyed the outdoors and was an avid fisherman. He was a member of the Burlingame Federated Church. His sister referred to him as the gentle giant.

Rich was married to Pamela Williams in 1976, they later divorced.

Rich was preceded in death by his parents, Lyle and Thelma; by his two brothers, Dale Brown and Dennis Brown; and by his sister, Mary Ohl.

Rich is survived by his ex wife Pamela (Williams) Bell; their three daughters, Clorissa Dailey, Sara Brown, and Kari Brown; and a daughter, Abigale McFarland, by his two brothers, Larry Brown of Missouri and Cordyon Brown of Ohio; by his sister, Becky Dillon of Carbondale; and by five grandsons and one granddaughter.

Rich was cremated and a memorial service will be held at a later date. Memorial contributions may be made to the Richard Brown Memorial Fund (to defray service expenses), sent in care of Feltner Funeral Home, 818 Topeka Avenue, Lyndon, KS 66451.