James Dean Brown

James Dean Brown left this earth on August 11, 2015, at home surrounded by his family. He is survived by his wife, Sandra Lee Hamm Brown; children, Ella Brown Dunn (Chad) of Champaign, Caralee Brown of Lexington, Ky, and Justin James Brown of Chicago; granddaughter, Zoe Dunn; and sisters Rebecca Oliver (George) and Mary Moisio (Rick); preceded in death by his parents, Charles Dean Brown and Helen Kehlenbach Brown, and his brother, Charles William Brown (Jackie). How can one truly measure a man's life? It is most assuredly by the lives he touched and changed by having been in his presence. Jim was truly larger than life in every sense imaginable. He loved his family and friends in a way that was perpetually selfless and was without measure. In every job, sport or volunteer effort he engaged in Jim did so with his whole heart. Regardless of the countless hours spent during his 33 years at Lauhoff/Bunge or the 15 years at Corn Products/Ingredion, he never missed a single event involving his children. His devotion to his wife of nearly 48 years was a living example to all that were blessed to witness their grand love. In the eyes of his family and friends, it was as if Jim invented random acts of kindness and paying it forward because for him it was a way of life. When dining with his wife and children, it was commonplace for Jim to scan the restaurant and identify a table that he felt could benefit from an anonymous kindness and would discretely pay their bill. He would help a stranger that came up short at the grocery store. Arrange to have the drives of elderly neighbors cleared in the winter, again always anonymously. He would distribute his home grown vegetables to those in need who lived near the plant that he worked at for many years. We've watched him help deliver a neighbor's cow in the middle of the night, single handedly push a car out of a ditch with his bare hands, and thrill the friends of his children by landing the most epic cannonball imaginable in the backyard pool. When we thought he couldn't possibly love any harder, in 1997 he was blessed with his only grandchild. This gave him immense joy. He would share his endless love and pride with all having grown up on the farm and passed this admiration of farmers and nature to his children as well as a desire to know one's ancestry and history. If you knew him, you felt important, worthy. No matter the circumstance, he never made you feel like you were falling short of his expectations. If he needed more from you, he became the catalyst for inspiration and encouraged you to be your best. This gentle giant could resolve any conflict with dignity and grace leaving everyone involved feeling like they were "heard". This spirit and compassion served him well in the sports he participated in that brought him great pride. From playing basketball at Bradley University on a full ride math and science scholarship to his many years striking fear in the hearts of many a player from the mound while pitching fast pitch soft ball at 6'10 and 90+mph. He was proud of the success he shared with his softball brothers winning the Las Vegas classic with the Bullock Bulls and being inducted into the Fast Pitch Softball Hall of Fame with his team the Woodworth Truckers as well as winning the state championship. A Celebration of Jim's life will be held on Sunday August 16, 2015 at 3 pm with Reverend Randall officiating at Sunset Funeral Home at 3940 North Vermilion in Danville. A visitation will be held on Saturday August 15, 2015 from 2-6 pm. at the funeral home. Please join Jim's family in sharing pictures, video and memories on his tribute wall at www.sunsetfuneralhome.com . It is because of his compassion for others and his immense heart that his family asks this: If you feel Jim has touched your life in any way meaningful and you feel inspired to honor him in this way, we ask that in lieu of flowers donations be made to the St. James Food Pantry. Donations will be accepted at Sunset or can be mailed to St. James Food Pantry, 504 N. Vermillion, Danville Il, 61832 " Lives of great men all remind us, we can make our lives sublime, and, departing, leave behind us footprints on the sands of time".

Visitation Aug 15, 2015 Saturday, 2:00 PM - 6:00 PM Sunset Funeral Home and Cremation Center 3940 N. Vermilion Street Danville, IL 61834 Service Aug 16, 2015 Sunday, 3:00 PM Sunset Funeral Home and Cremation Center 3940 N. Vermilion Street Danville, IL 61834 Final Resting Place Sunset Memorial Park 3901 N. Vermilion Street Danville, IL 61834