James Elbert Brown

James (Jim) Elbert Brown

September 16, 1945 - November 5, 2023

Wichita, Kansas - Brown, James (Jim) Elbert, 78, passed away Sunday, November 5th, 2023. He was born September 16th, 1945 to Joseph and Patti Brown in Wichita, Kansas. Jim attended high school in Florida and California where he played trombone and excelled as a member of the high school track team. After graduation, Jim joined the United States Navy and served for four years. He had a lifelong love for the Navy and served one tour in Vietnam. Jim could often be seen proudly wearing his hat promoting the U.S.S. Independence which was the ship on which he served.

After serving in the Navy, Jim returned to Wichita, Kansas where he married Mary Ann Morrison. Jim and Mary Ann had met in their youth at West Side Baptist Church where their families had attended since its founding. Jim and Mary Ann would go on to have two children: son, Joseph and daughter, Jennifer.

Jim attended college at Wichita State University and after college accepted a position at Chance Manufacturing where his father had worked. He later worked in Finance and Cost Estimating positions at the Cessna and Boeing Aircraft companies and ultimately retired from Boeing in 2000.

Jim had a passion for aviation and stayed active building flight simulators, model airplanes, and race cars. He enjoyed a wide range of activities including golf, bowling, roller skating, and ballroom dancing. Jim enjoyed music and played the guitar for a short time. He even tried the trombone again later in life but found it wasn’t as easy to “play it” as an adult!

He was preceded in death by his mother; father; sisters, Patti Odom and Susan (Susie) Miller; and son, Joseph Brown. He is survived by his wife, Mary Ann Brown; daughter, Jennifer Duty (Joel); grandsons, Jamie and Jacob Duty; and many other loving family and friends.

A private family memorial service will be held at a later date.