Benard L. Brown

Benard L. Brown was born March 1, 1944, to James and Georgia Brown in Vicksburg Mississippi. Later the family moved to Rockford, Illinois where Ben grew up with 9 brothers and sisters, then graduated from High School. In the early '60s, he graduated from Peru State College. Ben married and had 2 children Tegwin and Richie. In the 1970's Ben moved to Denver, Colorado, and began working at Denver Health as a paramedic and later as an Emergency Dispatcher. Ben began studying the Bible and was baptized as one of Jehovah's Witnesses in 1980 at 36. He met Claudine Galavan at the Kingdom Hall. Ben was auxiliary pioneering when they started to get close. This led to their first date, where they saw Fiddler on the Roof. They were married on May 8, 1982. Together, they had their son, Alex, in 1986. Ben excelled at his job partly due to his patient listening skills and calm responses. He was employed in the Denver Health Dispatch Center for 35 years. Leisure time for Ben was a few games of basketball. Numerous family reunions took them traveling to many states. Locally, as a family, they enjoyed skiing together and with friends. Spiritually, Ben served as a ministerial servant, an elder, and a pioneer upon retiring from his work. He was also able to attend Pioneer school in 2011. More recently, Ben became a full-time caregiver to Claudie. Many will miss his big smile, firm handshake, kind demeanor, and laugh. Ben is survived by his wife, Claudie. His daughter Tegwin Matthews, son Richie Brown, and son Alex Brown. His grandchildren Kendra Matthews, Keona Lee (Jarvis), and Juwan Coleman, great-grandchildren, Jordan Matthews, Justice Lee, and Jase Lee. And his siblings, James Brown, George Brown, Frederick Brown, Michael Brown (Michelle), and Ann Staff.