Charles Kenneth “Chuck” Brown, 91, left this earth to meet his Savior on Nov. 28, 2023, at Medicalodges of Great Bend, Great Bend, Kan. Chuck was born March 8, 1932, in Beaver City, Neb., to Harry and Estelline (Christensen) Brown. He married Charlene Rae Rowlands on June 9, 1957, in Rifle, Colo.

After graduating from Beaver City High School in 1949, Chuck briefly attended college in Fort Collins, Colo., before joining the Army. He served with the 61st Infantry, where he was stationed at Fort Carson, Colo. He returned to college at University of Northern Colorado in Greeley, Colo., where he earned both a B.A. and M.A. in Education. Chuck played both football and basketball in college and while in the army. 

For more than 30 years, Chuck coached high school football, basketball, track and any other sport that was needed. He shared his passion with 11 high schools across Nebraska, Colorado, South Dakota and Kansas. He established the wrestling program at Northeast Community College in Norfolk, Neb., where he was named in the Bicentennial Edition of Who’s Who in Nebraska. He also served as Activity Director for many years at Youthville in Dodge City, Kan. 

Always prioritizing God in his life, Chuck was active in church, serving throughout his life as an elder, board chairman, board member, committee chairman, and Bible study, Sunday School, church camp and youth leader. For the last 44 years, he was a member of Community Christian Church, Great Bend, Kan. 

An avid outdoorsman, Chuck enjoyed hunting, fishing, camping, canoeing, golfing, carpentry and gardening, often accompanied by a dog. Saturdays in the fall would always find him cheering on his beloved Nebraska Cornhuskers. He was a member of American Legion Argonne Post 180, and past member of many national teaching and coaching associations, Lions Club, and Boy Scouts of America. 

Survivors include wife Charlene, of the home; daughter, Christy Schultz of Great Bend; and chosen family, Carl and Evelyn Harr, Elydia Harr and Ethan Harr, all of Great Bend. 

Funeral services will be held at 3 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 7, 2023, at Community Christian Church, Great Bend, with Pastor Jon Hembree and Pastor Larry Whitbeck presiding. Military Rites will be conducted by Ft. Riley Honor Guard. Visitation will be 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., Wednesday, Dec. 6, at Bryant Funeral Home, with the family present to receive friends from 5 to 7 p.m. Interment will be Noon Friday, Dec. 8, at Mount Hope Cemetery, Beaver City, Neb. Memorials are suggested to Community Christian Church to provide scholarships to Lakeview Christian Camp, in care of Bryant Funeral Home. Condolences may be sent and notice viewed at www.bryantfh.net

Funeral arrangements provided by

Bryant Funeral Home

1425 Patton Road

Great Bend, KS  67530

Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, Dec. 5, 2023