Gary Gene Brown was born in Maroa, IL on December 16, 1959. He attended MaroaElementary School and MaroaHigh School where he played center for the Maora-Forsyth Trojans basketball team and led the team to many victories as their top scorer as well as being named most valuable player. Gary married Jackie Douglas in 1980 and they had one son, Dane Andrew. Dane moved with his mother to Springfield, MO a few years later while Gary stayed and worked in sales in the Decatur, IL area until 1995, when he moved to Springfield, MO to be closer to Dane. While living in Springfield, MO, Gary continued to work in sales. In 1996 he met Marquita Walker and they were married on September 10, 2004. Marquita and Gary moved to ColumbiaMO where they lived for five years; they then moved to Avon, Indiana where they currently live. Gary became seriously ill in May, 2013 and passed away on November 29, 2013. He lived 53 years, 11 months, and 17 days.
Gary is survived by his wife, Marquita Walker, his son Dane Brown, his parents, Bill and Sue Brown, a brother Alan Brown and his wife Valarie and their two sons, Wyatt and Garrett, a brother, Bryant Brown and his daughter Sherrie, four step-children, Craig Jones, Dana Walker, Matthew Walker, and Jeremy Walker, three granddaughters, Veronica and Gabby Brown and Abigale Ross, and two grandsons, Jason and Adam Walker, extended family, and many friends.
Gary was an exceptional man who loved his family and friends. No words can adequately express our grief at this early and unexpected loss. The lives that Gary touched have been enriched by his presence. Gary will be deeply missed.
A service to celebrate Gary’s life will be held at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, December 4, 2013 at Dawson & Wikoff North Funeral Home, 4020 N. Water Street, Decatur. The family will receive friends for a time of visitation on Tuesday evening from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. Memorials may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project P.O. Box 758517, Topeka, KS 66675. Messages of condolence may be sent to the family at www.dawson-wikoff.com.
