Patricia "Pat" Ann Brown

Pat passed peacefully on December 4, 2024. She was 92. Pat was born November 8, 1932, to Lawrence and Lula (Meridith) Hammond in Wellington, Kansas. Pat was the youngest of 3 children. Her sister Betty Weis passed in 2021 at the age of 91. Her brother, John Hammond died in 2007 at the age of 76. The siblings remained close throughout their lives. The Hammond family moved to Salina, Kansas from Topeka the summer she began the ninth grade and her siblings were in High school. It was at a high school dance in the summer of 1947 where she met her “Forever Sweetheart”, Raymond Lee Brown (Ray). She was in the 10th grade and Ray was in the 11th. Ray just happened to be a friend of her brother, John. Soon after high school Ray joined the Navy. On January 6th, 1952 while still in the Navy, they were married. Pat said many times: Ray left for Boot Camp, a boy at 6’2”, and 140 pounds and returned a 180 pound man. She remembered thinking. “Who is this person, and what have I got myself into?” During Ray’s service in the Navy, they were stationed in Patuxent, Maryland. After the service they returned to Salina where Ray worked for Pat’s dad as an electrician, and Varner Smith Construction building homes. At the same time, Pat and her mother were at home preparing the nest. They had a plan. Boot camp had nothing over those two. In May of 1954 Pat and Ray welcomed Robert Ray (Bobby) into their lives, and in January of 1957 a second son was born, David Lee. While in the Navy, Ray specialized in Aeronautical Mechanics, so in 1957 when Boeing Wichita began to hire; Ray, Pat, and the boys moved to “The Big City”, Wichita. In March of 1960, the Brown’s got their baby girl; Debra Ann was born. As the kids started school, Pat became very active in the PTA and a valued volunteer at Sim Elementary school. She helped in the office as needed, and in the event the school was putting on a play or sending out brochures, Pat was in charge of the set design and graphics. She had great ideas and was a very gifted artist. As the kids got older and they started participating in sports, or scouts, or whatever event they chose, Pat and Ray would always volunteer to help in any way they could. For many years Ray was an assistant coach in baseball, and Pat would manage the concessions. Unfortunately, as many will remember, during Boeing’s Pinnacle, when employment was high, and government contracts were slow, unpaid furloughs were common, many Wichitans struggled to make ends meet. To meet the mortgage, pay utilities, and fee the family, Pat and Ray worked at whatever they could, and whenever they could. Pat worked as a clerk at a neighborhood grocery store, was a part time receptionist for Roto-Rooter, managed a local taco shop, and even helped Ray frame a house that he built for a friend, Moreover, while their lives were turned upside down, Pat never complained, and refused to let the kids know the frustration and anxiety that they were feeling. In the early 60’s Ray left Boeing to begin a career in construction. Soon he was managing the construction of large projects for Wichita’s larger contractors. In 1982, Pat, Ray, and son David became co-owners of Professional Contractors, Inc. specializing in residential and commercial construction. Pat was Secretary and Treasurer of the firm responsible for office management and administration. Pat and Ray retired after 20 years. At about the same time Professional Contractors, Inc. was underway, Pat and Ray wanted to support the local American Legion. They had talked about it for years, so in 1982 Pat joined local 401. And, like everything else, they jumped in with both feet. The first couple years they worked in the kitchen and waited tables, and by year 3 Ray was greeting the members, and Emceeing the Entertainment /Bands. And, Pat was in charge of hiring the Entertainment/ Bands. Over the years they made many lifetime friends, and memories. They loved to dance, Pat was heard saying “ it was the most fun they'd had since High School!” In 2010, while Pat and Ray were picking out a birthday present for a granddaughter, Ray would suffer a Stroke that would change their lives forever. At first, hiscommunicative skills were impaired. Ray would understand what others were saying, but he couldn't find the words to reply. He would require help to walk. His balance was never what it was, but he refused dependence and eventually fell and broke his hip. The hip was replaced; However, at this point he was in his mid eighties. His eyesight was failing and his spirit was broken. For the last several years he has been bound to a bed and wheelchair. Pat was by his side every step of the way. She was his cheerleader, the first voice he heard every morning, and the last one at night, his everything, and he was her “Forever Sweetheart”. As hard as she tried there was nothing she could do to help him physically, and nothing she could do to mend his spirit. Although it was clear she was disappointed that his fight to better his disease was not enough, and would never be enough, She knew he gave his all for her and she never complained. So……when earlier this year Pat began to complain about back and stomach pain, there was a reason for concern. What started as an area of cancer confined to the lower Colon, which the surgeons thought they had removed, started a chain reaction of symptoms which led to pneumonia. Pat was a loving Wife, Mother, Grandmother, Great Grandmother, and Great Great Grandmother. She was our Anchor. Although her physical presence will bemissed, her Spirit will forever live in our Hearts. For she is a part of each one of us. January 6th, 2025, would have been their 73rd Wedding Anniversary. We love you, mom. Survivors include: husband, Raymond; children: Robert and wife Jean, David, Debra and husband Paul; six grandchildren; 5 great grandchildren (one preceded in death); and 2 great great grandchildren. Visitation will be 6:00 pm to 8 pm, Tuesday, December 10, 2024, at Downing & Lahey West Mortuary. Funeral service will be 11:00 am, Wednesday, December 11, 2024, at Asbury Church.