James Wesley Brown

Jim Brown of Ft. Collins Colorado died October 17, 2016 in Salt Lake City, UT. Jim was born April 22, 1922 in Ft Collins Colorado to James W. and Lovina (Johnson) Brown. Jim served nearly 4 years in the US Marine Corps during World War II. First as an instructor at Jacques Farm tank school, and then over two years in the south pacific as a tank commander. He was awarded the purple heart for an injury received on Okinawa. Jim was a graduate of Fort Collins High School (1940) and later Colorado State University (1948) after returning from the War. Jim was born and raised on the Brown Farm on West Prospect. In 1951 he took over the farm operations and fed as many as 3,000 lambs per year and maintained a small flock of ewes for spring lamb production. This was later replaced with registered flocks of Hampshire and Dorset show stock. Jim and his sons showed many Grand Champions at various state fairs and the National Stock Show. Jim introduced the first flock of Polled Dorset sheep to Colorado and later served as the President of the Continental Dorset Sheep Association. Jim frequently donated lambs to Colorado State University to explore the effect of feed on the flavor of the finished cuts of meat. He also fed out some lambs from Oklahoma State University to see if altitude had an effect on the size of sheep. In 1971 the family began selling off portions of the Farm for development. In 1988 at the age of 66 Jim moved to house in town. Jim was a member of the First United Presbyterian Church, a lifetime member of the Ft. Collins Elks Club, and a member of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity. He helped organize the Animal Science Alumni Association of CSU, and served as its second President. He was the President of the Fort Collins Lamb Feeders Association and had worked his way up to Vice President of the National Lamb Feeders Association when he quit feeding lambs. Jim had been appointed to the Colorado Sheep and Wool Board. Jim was elected to the Colorado State House of Representatives in the mid 80’s where he served one term. He was also appointed as a member of the CSU Presidents Advisory Committee. Jim volunteered as a little league Baseball Coach and 4-H Club Leader where he hosted the “Little Fair” on his farm. He served as Sheep Superintendent at the Larimer County Fair, and was a Judge at the National Western Stock Show. Jim was also a member of many other professional and Veterans organizations. He enjoyed attending Marine reunions and served on the committee that hosted the Sixth Marine Division in Denver. Jim is survived by a son and daughter in law, Mark Brown and Allison Shayne who live in Salt Lake City, Utah, and a sister, Virginia Pettibone who lives in Ft. Collins Colorado. He is preceded in death by his parents, Jim and Lovina Brown and a son, Scott Brown. A Graveside Service with Military Honors will be held 1:00 p.m., Wednesday, October 26 at Grandview Cemetery.

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James Wesley Brown

April 22, 1922 - October 17, 2016