Myron D. Brown

Myron Douglass Brown, DVM, of Stanley, Kansas, aged 74, died June 27, 2012, at Villa St. Joseph in Overland Park, due to complications from Alzheimer ’s disease and Lewy Body Dementia. A celebration of his life will be held on Monday, July 2, at 11:00 a.m. at the Wesley Chapel, United Methodist Church of the Resurrection, Leawood, Kansas. The service will be followed by a reception at the church. There will be an open house at the home of Myron and Nancy for all friends and family on Sunday evening, July 1, from 5:00-8:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to SilverLink Ministry at the United Methodist Church of the Resurrection, 13720 Roe Avenue, Leawood, Kansas 66224. Online condolences may be made at www.mcgilleystatelinechapel.com.

Myron was born October 27, 1937, in Indianapolis, Indiana. He attended Anderson High School in Anderson, Indiana, and graduated from Sharon High School in Sharon, Massachusetts. He attended Boston University, the University of Florida and Florida State University before obtaining his veterinary degree from Auburn University in 1962. Upon graduation, he became a member of the Air Force Veterinary Corps, serving in Peshawar, Pakistan, and Eglin Air Force Base, Florida. He left the service to go into the animal health industry, where he proudly served as an industrial veterinarian for 39 years.

During his professional career he worked for American Cynamid, Abbott Laboratories, Ceva Animal Health, Rhone-Poulenc, Sanofi-Aventis, Sanofi Animal Health, Rhone Merieux and Merck Ag Vet. Author of numerous articles and research papers, Dr. Brown was very active in evaluating and promoting advances in veterinary fluid therapy. He was closely associated with the Western Veterinary Conference for many years, as a speaker, session chairman, director and exhibits coordinator. He served two terms on the board of directors and functioned as exhibits coordinator from 1996 until 2003. He was also a member of the American Association of Industrial Veterinarians, and served a term as director in the late seventies.

Myron enjoyed jazz music and playing his trumpet (particularly Taps at veterans’ funerals as well as in the orchestra at the United Methodist Church of the Resurrection). Running was his hobby and he completed seven marathons, including Boston, New York, Chicago, Lincoln, San Francisco and Indiana. He was a member of the Blue Valley Optimists for years and enjoyed serving as a committee chair of a program to honor student leaders. He also enjoyed serving as a tutor at Oxford Academy and selling Christmas trees to benefit youth programs. A volunteer at the Church of the Resurrection, personal service projects he highly valued were helping to build a Habitat for Humanity house and going on a mission trip to South Africa.

But most importantly, Myron valued people and was a consummate listener. With a phenomenal memory, he seldom forgot a name or a conversation, always engaging others to share what was important to them. Known as a gentleman and a scholar, he was much admired by those who knew him professionally and personally.

Particularly proud of his wife and two sons, he cheered them on in their many endeavors. He became an avid Jayhawk Fan and seldom missed a chance to watch his two sons play football for the University of Kansas. A patriotic man who loved his country, he sang the national anthem with such gusto that he frequently embarrassed his family. When his son Derek followed his footsteps and went into the service, he could not have been more proud. He was the greatest campaigner for Nancy’s political campaigns, going door to door, pounding in yard signs, and never missing an event.

Married to Nancy Becker for 43 years, they had two sons, Derek (wife Gretchen and grandson Elijah) and Jason (wife Lynn and granddaughter Marli). He was preceded in death by his son Jason and brother Bruce. He is survived by sister Barbara Brown Moll and brother Max Brown. He leaves a large extended family, including many beloved nieces and nephews.

A special thank you to the staff at Villa St. Joseph, Kansas City Hospice and the United Methodist Church of the Resurrection for their constant love, support and care for Myron and Nancy.