Memorial services for J J Brown, 95, of Portales, will be held at 10:00 AM, Mon., Feb. 12, 2018 in the Wheeler Mortuary Chapel with Dr. Keith Wilks officiating. Military honors will be rendered by American Legion Post #31 of Portales.
Jay, as he was known to family and friends, was born Dec 15, 1922 in Leonard, TX to the home of Mary Agnes (Neal) and Jewel J Brown, and died Sat, Feb. 3, 2018 in Clovis, NM. The family moved to Portales when he was a small child, and he lived in Portales for most of the rest of his lifetime. He was a 1941 graduate of Portales High School. Jay served as a gunner in the 489th Bomb Group of the Army Air Corps during World War II. Following his discharge, he returned to Portales. On Feb. 1, 1947, he was married to Betty Jim Hatch. Jay was a postal employee for 30 years and retired from the Postal Service in 1977.
All of Jay’s life he was an avid golfer. He was one of the very first members of the Portales Country Club, and continued to play until he was past 93, having played for well over 70 years. In addition to golf, Jay enjoyed woodworking, and had built many items of furniture.
He is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Jenifer and Albert Baca of Clovis; two grandchildren, Andrea (Robert) Bell of Clovis and Amanda Baca of Tempe, AZ; three great-grandchildren, Breanna Bell, of Clovis, Ashton Bell of Clovis and Amia McNally of Tempe, AZ; and a sister, Martha Masterson of Loveland, CO. He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother, George William Brown, a son, Jeffrey Brown, who died Feb. 3, 2006, and his wife, Betty Jim Brown who died Jan. 28, 1997, just three days short of their 50th anniversary.
