James Brown, age 72, of Miles City

We are saddened to announce the passing of James (Jim) Willie Brown of Miles City, Montana. James passed away at age 72 on May 26, 2023 after a long battle with cancer and other health issues. He was born August 6, 1950 to Odell Irene Brown and William Jim Brown in Tampa, Florida. He grew up alongside his siblings in Phoenix, Arizona where his passion for classic cars was born.

In his free time he enjoyed many hobbies. He loved to sit out on a lake or river and fish for hours whether it be with friends, family, or all by himself. He loved bull riding, horseback riding, and even breaking and training the horses in his spare time. He was also a huge collector of clowns which grew to quite the large collection over his many years.

He made a career out of his passion and worked in the automotive and custom classic chrome plating industries. His career took him to many states around the country from Arizona to Texas, California to Nevada, Washington to Michigan, and Idaho to Montana. While in Tempe, Arizona he was blessed with his first-born son, James Baron Brown on February 12, 1983. The following year on March 28th, he was blessed with his beautiful daughter Ashly Ryan Brown (Stanley) in Dallas, Texas.

A few years later he met Terry (Marsh) Brown in Reno, Nevada where they later married on September 10, 1988. The newlywed couple then moved to Yakima, Washington where they started their family. In October of 1989 they were blessed with a son (Jack Brown) and the following October blessed with a daughter (Chelsea Brown). As a family they traveled the states for his custom plating business.

In 1997 he and his family moved to Miles City, MT where they decided to plant their roots for many years. A decade later he was diagnosed with liver cancer and cirrhosis of the liver and struggled with his health for many years until receiving the wonderful gift of a liver transplant on October 10, 2010. After the transplant in 2010 he continued to struggle with health issues throughout his remaining years. In the middle of all the hospital visits and health issues he became a grandpa. Being a grandpa is what he loved most in the world, and he always said it’s what kept him strong during all his struggles.

“Don’t think of him as gone away his journey’s just begun, life holds so many facets this earth is only one. Just think of him as resting from the sorrows and the tears in a place of warmth and comfort where there are no days and years. Think how he must be wishing that we could know today how nothing but our sadness can really pass away. And think of him as living in the hearts of those he touched… for nothing loved is ever lost and he was loved so much.” -Ellen Brenneman

He was preceded in death by his parents William Jim Brown (Harlan Kentucky) and Odell Irene Brown (Ledbetter) (Stearns Kentucky). His brother, Ralph Carroll Ledbetter (Gilbert, AZ), sisters, Virginia Sue Brown Cervantes (Scottsdale, AZ), Tilda Marie Brown Tucker and Margret Viola Brown Dyer (Morganton, NC). His brother-in-law Pedro Cerventas (Scottsdale, AZ).

He is survived by his wife Terry Brown (Bowman, ND), two sons Baron James Brown (Jennifer Brown) of Carson City, NV, and Jack Wilson Brown (Lindsay Brown) of Miles City, MT. His two daughters Ashly Ryan Stanley (Gary Stanley) of Caldwell, TX and Chelsea Brown (Tyler Becker) of Bowman, ND. His sister Judy Brown of Clemmons, NC, and numerous nieces and nephews. His grandchildren Hailea, Trinity, Ryan, Payton, Baron, Eric, Jhett, Klara and Kennedy whom will all miss him greatly.

Service Schedule

Services are pending at this time or no services will be held. If available, please see obituary for more information.

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