Obituary for Cletus “Buck” Brown

Cletus J. “Buck” Brown – Veteran

February 9, 1926 – September 2, 2018

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Cletus J. Brown, age 92. He went to heaven on Sunday, September 2, 2018 at Ponca City Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. He was laid to rest at the IOOF Cemetery in Ponca City under the direction of Grace Memorial Chapel.

Cletus “Buck” was born on February 9, 1926 at home near Chelsea, Ok to Ivan Cecil and Ida Fern Sutherland Brown. He grew up in the Alluwe/Chelsea area of Rogers County and attended school there. Cletus was a 1943 graduate of Alluwe High School. In May of 1944 he joined the US Army and served as a member of the 347th Infantry Regiment, 87th Infantry Division, Golden Acorn. In April of 1946, after the end of World War II, he came back home. It was then, on September 4, 1948, he married his sweetheart, Mary Helen Webster in Jay, OK. Cletus and Mary had a dedicated and caring marriage based on mutual support and deep love for one another. The happy couple had two children, Patricia Sue and Gerald “Jerry” Lee. Although he was told that he would never be called up to serve again, he was again called to active service for the Korean War. Master Sergeant Cletus Brown was honorably discharged in October of 1951.

In May of 1956 he began a long fulfilling career with Phillips 66. He was hired to work on a drilling rig and retired in August of 1985 at the Shidler Area Well Service. He had worked his way up from the bottom to become a very important and very knowledgeable man in the oil and gas industry. The 29 years working for Phillips afforded his family the opportunity to live an adventurous life and travel to many places.

In retirement, he enjoyed fishing, traveling with family and friends as well as spending time with his grandchildren. His grandchildren were the pride of his life. He was gracious and kind, frequently thinking of others and their needs before his own.

Cletus leaves behind to cherish his memory, his daughter Patricia Sue Ginger, Ponca City; Daughter-in-law Shirley Brown, Webb City; sister Rita Mae Graves, Chelsea; grandchildren: Chad and wife Tamara Brown, Christopher Brown, Victoria and husband Darren Courtney, and Meagan and husbane Ryan Zulauf; great granddaughters: Mackenzie, Maudilene, and Emma Brown; as well as many nieces and nephews.

Cletus was reunited in a better place with his parents, wife Mary, son Gerald Brown, son-in-law Lester Ginger and brothers Dale and Kenneth Brown.

The family wishes to thank Hospice of North Central Oklahoma and Ponca City Nursing and Rehabilitation Center for the care and compassion they provided during his last days.