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John W. Brown

May 10, 2019
Portage, MI

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John W. Brown, Sr. passed away surrounded by his family on May 10, 2019 after a brief battle with cancer. John was born in Kalamazoo, MI on September 4th, 1935 to Jay Brown Sr. and Lola (Rowley) Brown/Bauer. He grew up in the Oakwood area and graduated from Kalamazoo Central High School in 1953. John opened Park Lane Florist in Vicksburg, MI in 1960 where he developed a longtime following of customers and friends. His artistry with flowers and care for others was evident in each arrangement. He was an active member of the Vicksburg Rotary Club and was a member of the Vicksburg village council in the '80s. He maintained Park Lane in various locations throughout Southwest Michigan for over 40 years with a dedicated following of many who cherished his work. When John wasn't working, he loved to be out golfing with his friends. A Portage resident and longtime business owner, John was preceded in death by his wife Jill in 2015, parents, brother Charles Riddle, sister Betty Buddemeyer, and brother Jay Brown Jr. He leaves behind four children: Constance Brown Hammond, John Brown, Jr., Tina Brown (Hassan Al Jubran), and Robert Brown (Maureen Brown), five grandchildren: Ashley Brown, Jasmine Moskalik, Jessie Sadiku, Maizie and Hailey Brown, and one great-grandson, Joseph Franzone. In place of a funeral service, John requested his ashes be scattered at his favorite lake. If you would like to raise a glass in John's memory, please join us at the VFW Post 826 (562 Portage Street, Kalamazoo, MI) on Friday, May 17 from 3:00-6:00 p.m. Donations in John's memory can be made to Rose Arbor Hospice via the following link: https://hospiceswmi.org/memorialsdonation/