James H. Brown

James H. (Big Jim) Brown, 71, of Lafayette, IN passed away shortly before noon on Friday, November 5, 2010 at Broward General Medical Center in Ft. Lauderdale, FL. He was born on April 23, 1939, in Knox County, IN to John W. and Edith Hollingsworth Brown.
Jim was a loving husband to Carla Linneweber Brown who he married in Knox County on January 30, 1959.
He was a wonderful dad to four children: Deidre (DeeDee) Mullen (husband Brad) of Brookston, IN, Krista (Kris) Coy of Novi, MI, Terri Crowell of Lafayette, Jim E. (Little Jim) of Lafayette.
Jim was “Pappaw” to four grandchildren who where the lights of his life: Taylor and Carley Crowell of Lafayette, Kelsey Mullen of Brookston, and Austin Brown of Lafayette.
He also is survived by a sister, Nancy Brown Miller of Tifton, GA and several nieces & nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother, John (Rusty) Brown, a nephew, Jay Brown and his in-laws, Ed and Esther Linneweber.
Jim retired in 1991 from Eli Lilly where he had worked as a pipe fitter for 29 years. For several years he had his own construction company, Heirloom Homes, and he most recently worked for Purdy Materials in Lafayette.
He was a member of Immanuel United Church of Christ and especially loved the HOBO (Homeward Bound) Sunday School class there.
His interests included woodworking, genealogy, gardening, reading and especially his dachshund, Gracie.
In lieu of flowers the family requests that memorials be made to First Books for Kids, a program sponsored by Extension Homemakers.
Friends may call 5-8 PM Tuesday Soller-Baker Lafayette Chapel, 400 Twyckenham Blvd. Service 10:00AM Wednesday Soller-Baker Lafayette Chapel, Rev. Dr. Ronald Wunsch officiating. Interment Meadowview cemetery.