James Leroy Brown, “Pastor Brown” at the age of 82 passed from this earth to walk with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on April 13, 2019. He was at his home in Glenwood Springs, Colorado with his wife and family at his side.
Jim was born at the Hopkin’s hospital in Glenwood Springs on October 25, 1936 to Edith P. Wise and Victor C. Brown. He is survived by his wife of thirteen years, Nancy Conger. His lineage with former wife, Shirley Alcorn includes four children; Kiffany, Dennis, Tammie and Jeremy and their spouse’s; ten grandchildren, ten great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren. Jim is also survived by his brother, Henry Brown of Cortez, Colorado; sister, Glennis Hefton and brother-in-law Charles Hefton of Mesa, Arizona; nieces and nephews.
Jim graduated high school at Mancos, Colorado. At the age of 18, he began working in excavation with Shorty Alcorn, his former father-in-law. He was ordained as a minister at the age of 21, pioneered a church in Collbran and pastored the Assemblies of God, and Living Springs Fellowship in Glenwood Springs. Jim served Colorado and Utah as District Youth Director from 1963-1971, was a Presbyter and Executive Director of Camp Cedaredge also for the Assemblies of God. His ministry included missions to Guatemala, Nicaragua and El Salvador. He taught “ministry in the marketplace” and for over three decades offered one to one counsel, challenge and encouragement at Village Inn, the Hot Springs Pool and the café at Valley View Hospital.
Jim was a pastor, teacher, evangelist and friend. He was a self-taught musician who loved playing the banjo, guitar and mandolin and singing. He was an ardent student of the Bible. Jim was a buckaroo, horseman, snowmobiler, avid hunter, mechanic, enjoyed fishing and relished a competitive game of ping-pong.
Pastor Brown officiated at hundreds’ of marriages and funerals. He baptized people in the rivers of Colorado including “Buzzard Creek” in Collbran, Harvey Gap in Silt and in his later years at the Hot Springs Pool.
He was loved and is already missed. A memorial service will be held at the Church of Christ, Glenwood Springs, May 4, 2019 at 10:00 a.m.