John Brown

(From Mason-Woodard Mortuary)

John Paul Brown, was born on July 25, 1940, in Searcy, Ar., the son of Emmitt Claude Brown and Dora (Person) Brown. He departed this life and ran through Heaven’s gates on January 4, 2017.

John graduated from Carthage High School in 1957. Following high school, he traveled around the United States, doing a variety of jobs in finance and the automobile industry. He also, served as a preacher for the Church of Christ. In 1967, he took his first flight lesson at Joplin Flying Service and he never looked back. He started working for Joplin Flying Service, which later became Mizzou Aviation where he rose to General Manager and Chief Pilot. He later purchased Mizzou Aviation and operated it until his retirement in 2007. He was an accomplished and respected pilot’s instructor, amassing over 20,000 hours of flight. It was often said, “If you got a rating from John Brown that you deserved it.”

After he retired he began his greatest adventure – serving God. He was a member of Mount Hope Church of Christ where he served as Deacon of Missions. He touched many lives for Christ, with a special fondness for the men of the ROAD and the people of the Navajo Nation in New Mexico and Arizona.

He married Candace Chisel on December 21, 1967 in Joplin, and she survives. His is also survived by his daughter, Molly Creswell and husband Travis, Joplin; his son Garrett Brown, Lawrence, Ks.; his grandchildren, Carmen Creswell and John Thomas “J.T.” Creswell; nephews, Frank McReynolds and wife Roberta, and Joe McReynolds and wife Sybill; and a host of International friends.

He was preceded in death by two brothers, Emmitt Brown and Carl Brown; and a sister, Virdean McReynolds.
Funeral services will be 10 a.m. Monday at Mount Hope Church of Christ. Victor Knowles, Minister will officiate. Burial will be in Park Cemetery in Carthage, Mo.

The visitation will be 3 to 5 p.m. Sunday at Mount Hope Church of Christ. Memorial contributions may be given to Mount Hope Church of Christ for the Manuelito Navajo Children’s Home in care of the mortuary.