James 'Jim' H. Brown

James ‘Jim’ Howard Brown, 78, Rapid City, passes away peacefully Thursday, March 14, 2013 at home with his wife, son, daughter, daughter-in-law and his dog Bella by his side. Jim was born on July 3, 1934 to Clifford Brown and Olive Brown on the family homestead in Fairburn, SD. He then grew up in Rapid City where his dad had built a house. He joined the Air Force in 1951, when he was released from the Air Force; he lived and worked in North Idaho; Kalispell, MT and St Charles, MO. He moved back to Rapid City in 1974 where he fell in love with Karole Kruse and they married on Aug 27, 1974. In 1975 he started work for Dacotah Cement Plant, where he joined the Steelworkers Union until he retired in 1996. After he retired he enjoyed travelling with Karole to see his children and grandchildren. He is survived by his wife of 38 years, Karole Brown, Rapid City; mother-in-law Geraldine Kruse, Chattanooga, TN; his brother Raymond Brown, Rapid City; his first wife, Elaine Keenan, Kalispell, MT; son, Don (Judy) Sidmore, Newport, WA; son Chuck (Mourna) Sidmore, Kalispell, MT; daughter Anita (Mark) Bucki, Merrill, WI; son Paul (Kellie) Wilson, Montpelier, ID; son Clifford (Sonya) Brown, Rapid City; son Richard (Teresa) Brown, Kalispell, MT; daughter Cheryl Kruse, Rapid City; son Randy (Toni) Brown, Keystone; 20 grandchildren; 15 great grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews; many others whose hearts he touched and we could never leave out Bella, his miniature schnauzer. He was preceded in death by his father Clifford Brown, his mother Olive Brown and two sisters-in-law Grace Schmuck and Marge Brown.