Joe, beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, uncle, brother and friend passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on April 23, 2025.
Joe leaves behind a monumental legacy. Born in Marshall, MO Joe grew up on the Brown family farm learning work ethic and grit that he carried with him throughout his life.
For 44 years, Joe served as a conductor at BNSF Railway, where his hard work and camaraderie earned him respect and lifelong friendships. Additionally, Joe was a proud member of the Shawnee Masonic Lodge and Abdallah Shrine for 32 years. He embraced their mission with enthusiasm bringing joy to the organization with his infectious spirit. Joe was always the first to step forward to volunteer at events and fundraisers, including driving children to medical appointments at the Shrine Hospital in St Louis.
Joe was truly the life of the party and even created the infamous dance move aptly named “The Joe Brown.” Whether he was dancing, dressing up in costume, or grinding away in the kitchen prepping food and doing dishes - he did it all in the interest of helping others.
His most proud accomplishment is raising five amazing kids, who’ve gone on to have children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren who always brought him joy.
You couldn’t know Joe and not see how devoted he was to his wife Carolyn. Joe and Carolyn were married 62 years this March and even during his cancer illness, ups, downs, and weak days, he continued to care for her as her dementia progressed.
His legacy lives on through his wife, Carolyn; children Steve Brown, Dave Brown, Rich Brown, Missy Anderson, and Lisa Brown; their spouses, 10 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren; and countless friends who will forever cherish his memory.
There’s a saying, “he never knew a stranger.” And that is certainly the case with Joe Brown. He made friends with the pharmacist at Hyvee, the drive through clerk at Burger King, the entire infusion team at Advent hospital, basically everywhere he went.
From his personal relationships to his work role, and beyond…devotion and commitment ran deep with Joe. Joe and Carolyn, strong in their Catholic faith, were proud founding members of Good Shepherd Catholic Church in 1974.
A Masonic Service and Rose Ceremony will begin at 4:00 p.m. with Visitation following until 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, May 6th, at the Porter Funeral Home, Lenexa, KS. The Rosary will be prayed at 11:00 a.m. with the Funeral Mass beginning at 11:30 a.m. on Wedensday, May 7th, at Good Shepherd Catholic Church, 12800 W 75th Street, Shawnee, KS. A private family burial will follow the Funeral Mass.
In lieu of flowers, the family would ask you to consider a donation to the “Abdallah Shrine building fund.”
Mail checks to 5300 Metcalf Ave, Overland Park, KS 66202. Joe had been passionate about upgrading a set of exterior doors, in order for guests to have ADA push plate access. In the memo portion of the check, please state in honor of Joe & Carolyn. Click here to donate online: https://donorbox.org/ada-door-fund