Obituaries

Harsh J. Brown

Photo of Harsh J. Brown
Rev. Harsh J. Brown, 89, of Columbia, passed away Wednesday, June 26, 2013, at Lenoir Woods. Harsh was born December 10, 1923, in Merced, Calif., to Richard and Greta Brown. He married Frances Hackett on March 13, 1948, and she survives at the home. A Navy veteran of World War II, Harsh graduated from Chapman College, Los Angeles, Calif., in 1950. The family moved to Texas where Harsh enrolled in Brite College of the Bible, Texas Christian University, graduating in 1954 as an ordained minister; he served as director and administrator of All People's Christian Church and Center in Los Angeles, Calif. through 1959. In 1960, he began his ministry at Fellowship Center, Christ in the City Church, St. Louis, Mo., serving until his retirement in 1987. Throughout his working life, retirement years, indeed until the last few hours of his life he contributed much to making his community and his world a better place. His ministry was inspired by God's love for all people; his life exemplified how to live congruent with one's faith and reason. An inveterate joke teller who never knew a stranger, Harsh loved playing Scrabble, completing crossword puzzles, and the daily word jumble, even on the last day of his life. He was well-loved and will be greatly missed by all who knew him. Survivors include: one daughter, Conni (Charlie) Ess of Oslo, Norway; four sons, Charlie (Gayle) Brown of St. Louis, Mo., Ken (Antje Fritsch-Brown) Brown of Munich, Germany, Stan (Patti) Brown of Montgomery Village, Md., Mike (Susan McDowell) Brown of Brazito, Mo.; a brother, George (Janet) Brown of San Marcos, Calif.; a sister-in-law, Peggy Brown of Ojai, Calif.; eight grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by a brother, sister, and grandson. Services will be held at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, July 6, 2013, at First Christian Church, 101 N. Tenth St., Columbia. Private burial at Columbia Cemetery. Visitation will be from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m., Friday, July 5 at Parker Funeral Service, 22 N Tenth St., Columbia. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be given to the First Christian Church, designated to the Benjamin Brown Memorial or the Congo Protestant University Scholarship Fund. Condolences may be sent to the family at: www.parkerfuneralservice.com

Published June 30, 2013