Born Nov. 21, 1935 in Brixey Raymond Richard Brown, 2006 Potentate of Ararat Shriners in Kansas City, passed away March 5, 2007 at St. Luke’s Hospital East, surrounded by loved ones and friends, at the age of 71. Visitation will begin at 4 p.m., followed by funeral services including a Rose Ceremony by the Royal Order of Jesters at 6 p.m. on Sunday, March 11, at Ararat Shrine Temple. Graveside services will be at 2 p.m. Monday, March 12, at the Souder Cemetery in Ozark County. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the Ray Brown Memorial Fund at Ararat Shrine Temple, 5100 Ararat Drive, Kansas City, MO 64129.
Ray was born Nov. 21, 1935 in Brixey, the only child of Osborn C. and Allie Agnes (Hale) Brown. He grew up on the family dairy farm, graduated from the Gainesville High School, and was a member of the Church of Christ in Souder.
Ray found employment with Hallmark Cards as an order filler in 1953. He later joined the U.S. Army for two years, serving in Europe, and then returned to Hallmark. His career at Hallmark spanned more than 40 years, retiring as manager of building engineering in 1995.
Ray was a member of Christian Masonic Lodge in Oak Grove #392 AF&AM, the Scottish Rite Bodies, Valley of Kansas City, and Ararat Shrine Temple. At Ararat, Ray was a longtime member of the Patrol Unit where he served as captain. He also served as assistant director of Uniformed Units, and was an active member of the Sandblasters, Quetzalcoatl, and Royal Order of Jesters Court 54.
Ray was appointed to Ararat’s Divan in 1997 by the now late Illustrious Sir Don Fowler, and served as Potentate in 2006. Ray was also a member of the Harry S Truman American Legion Post #21 for 23 years. He had a passion for golf with all his buddies. He was also a fan of all sports, especially Chiefs football, where he was a season ticket holder for several decades, and NASCAR, which he followed throughout the country.
Ray leaves his son, Daniel R. Brown, Independence; three grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and many, many friends.
