Marion Eugene Brown

Marion Eugene "Gene" Brown, of Topeka, passed away Tuesday, December 07, 2010. Gene was born March 31, 1929, in Topeka; son of Marion A. and Mabel E. (Copeland) Brown. He owned and operated Topeka Insulation and Supply Inc. since 1963. Gene served as a president of the Shawnee County Mounted Posse. He was the founding father of the Great Plains Balloon Club. Gene began flying in 1974. His balloons included Firebird, Firehawk, and Firecat. He belonged to the Golden Rule Lodge 90, for 65 years. On March 28, 1969, he became a member of the Arab Shrine of Topeka. He served on the Divan as Chaplin for 13 years. In 2002 he became Chaplain Emeritus. Gene was a member of the Mounted Patrol, Eagles, Oriental Band, Order of Quetzalcoatl, and the Royal Order of Jesters.
Gene and Terry were married on October 28, 1983; she survives. Other survivors include his daughters, Jeanette Brown, Topeka; Annette Brown and Susan Whitsell, both of Clinton, MO; two stepsons, Daniel (Jamie) Rodriguez, and Chad Rodriguez, all of Topeka; ten grandchildren, three great grandchildren, brother, Jim (Sandra) Brown, Topeka; and sister, Kay (Dean) Morton, La Crosse, WI.

While we are saddened by his death, we can celebrate what he brought to our family and friends.

Services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, December 13 at Northland Christian Church. Burial will follow in the Penwell-Gabel Cemetery. Gene will lie in state after 3:00 p.m. on Sunday at Penwell-Gabel Mid Town Chapel where the family will receive friends from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Memorial contributions may be made to Arab Temple Travel Fund, 1305 S Kansas Ave, Topeka, KS 66612 or Topeka Shawnee County Public Library, 1515 SW 10th Ave, Topeka, KS 66604 or Midland Care Hospice Services, 200 SW Frazier Cir, Topeka, KS 66606.