Emerson Brown

Emerson Owen Brown, 81, of Independence, MO, passed away Thursday, December 31, 2009 surrounded by his loving family. Services will be 10:00 a.m., Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2010 at Buckner Restoration Branch; burial in Buckner Hill Cemetery. Visitation 7:30 to 9:00 Tuesday at the church. Masonic services 6:00 p.m. Tuesday at the Buckner Masonic Lodge #501 AF & AM. Emerson was born May 20, 1928 to Ephraim Brown and Ina Pearl Barnett Brown. He was a lifelong member of the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. He was an ordained Elder, and maintained his membership with the Restored Church of Jesus Christ. Emerson served his country in the US Navy as part of the Seabees during the last years of WW II, serving in the south Pacific. He was awarded a lifetime membership with the VFW for work he performed pro bono for them. On June 7, 1948 he married Rowena Mabell Fonck and to this union 5 children were born; Danielle Leah, Denise Lynn, Ina Ruth, Ila Renee and Emerson Owen II. He went into the plastering business with his father and brothers in 1948 until the partnership was dissolved in 1967 when he organized his own plastering business with his son. Emerson was initiated into the Masonic Lodge in Buckner Masonic Lodge #501 in December 1954, was raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason in 1955, served as Master of Buckner Lodge #501 in 1981, served as secretary/recorder for Independence York Rite Bodies for 25 years, was awarded Past Honorary High Priest, ILL Master & Commander of the Independence York Rite Bodies. He was awarded his 50 year pin in 2005. He was also a member of the Mary Conclave, Red Cross of Constantine and a member of the Kansas City Valley of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Missouri. He became a member of the Harry S. Truman York Rite College #167. He was a member of the Buckner Chapter #280 Order of Eastern Star and served as Worthy Patron three times. He was preceded in death by his parents; his son and business partner Emerson Owen II, his brothers, Leland and Richard and his sisters Elizabeth and Ardyce. He is survived by his loving wife of 62 years, Rowena, of the home; his daughters, Danielle Mallett and husband Robert of Osceola, MO, Denise Davis and husband Bud (Earl) of Buckner, MO, Ina Hess and husband John of Liberty, MO, Ila Duvall and husband Roger of Independence, MO; 11 grandchildren, 21 great-grandchildren; a brother Stanton Brown and wife Johnnie (Shirley) of Buckner, MO and a multitude of nieces, nephews and friends.