James Conover Brown

James Conover Brown, of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, and formerly of Bel Air, Maryland, never let the truth get in the way of a good story.  Jim loved to talk, entertain, and chat up every food server that waited on him.  Jim passed away on Monday, June 12, 2023, at the age of 87.   Jim died peacefully, surrounded by his four boys, Jim, David, Chuck, and Bill.  Jim lived a story-worthy life, blessed with a loving wife, 4 sons, 9 grandchildren, an extended family, and many devoted and life-long friends. Jim loved to read, play golf and play racquetball, and in his later years, devoted his time to caring for his beloved wife, Anne.

Jim was born James Conover Brown on December 22, 1935, in Havertown, Pennsylvania, outside Philadelphia, to James Harold Brown and Adelaide Duncan Conover Brown.  He was the middle of three children, Patricia McClearn of Denver, Colorado, and Barbara Olson of Medford, Oregon.  Jim played second base on his high school baseball team then went to Penn State where he studied metallurgy.  Jim met Anne while at Penn State.  They graduated in 1959 and married in 1960.  Their marriage lasted 61 years and brought a house full of boys–Jim, David, Chuck, and Bill.

While Jim worked for United States Steel for 38 years, Anne raised their 4 boys.  It was a full house that moved a lot.  Jim and David were born in Cleveland, Ohio, and Chuck and Bill were added after they moved back to Pittsburgh. The household would relocate from Pittsburgh to Waterloo Iowa, St. Louis, Missouri, back to Pittsburgh, and eventually to Bel Air, Maryland where they would live for over 30 years.  Jim was the kind of Dad who would organize the neighborhood kick-the-can game, lead a Webelo troup, and watch all of his boy’s sporting events, choir, and theater.  Jim and Anne were married for 61 years and in Anne’s final years, Jim lovingly cared for her.  Anne passed away in September 2021.

Jim and Anne were blessed with 3 wonderful daughters-in-law, Cheryl, Jennifer, and Michelle. In 2012, a son-in-law was added to the family when David married Benjamin. Jim loved being Grandad to Stephanie, Amanda, Chaz, Grace, John, Matt, Torie, Cam, and Abby and welcomed Julian to the family as Amanda’s husband and Brandon as Stephanie’s husband.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to Pass-It-On Ministries online at

https://belairumc.org/giving/

, by calling 410-838-5181, or by mailing a check to Bel Air United Methodist Church  21 Linwood Ave, Bel Air, MD 21014. In the Memo Line write “Pass-It-On”.  Anne started this ministry and it meant so much to Jim as well. 41041410