Obituary of Merton Fred Brown

Merton Fred Brown, Jr., 81, of Columbia, MO passed away at the home of his son Jeff in Moberly MO on October 9, 2016. Merton was born September 22, 1935 in Burlington, VT to Merton Fred Brown Sr. and Gladys (Will) Brown. He was united in marriage to Patricia Lee Richards in Burlington, VT on May 4, 1957 and she precedes him in death. Merton grew up in Vermont and served his country honorably in the United States Navy from 1953 until 1956. He served as a Quartermaster serving as a Signalman on the USS Willis A. Lee (DL-4), a Destroyer Leader. Merton completed his undergraduate and Masters Degrees at Orono, Maine and his PhD at the University of Iowa. The family moved to Columbia, MO in 1968 where Merton taught Plant Pathology and was the Director of the Electron Microscopy facility in the MU College of Agriculture. Merton is survived by his children, Douglas Brown and wife Lee Walthall of Houston, TX, Jeff Brown and wife Kim of Moberly, MO, and Judith Brown of Houston, TX; grandchildren James Brown and wife Amanda of Houston, Alex Baker and husband Austin of Houston, Andrew Brown and wife Kristen of Ft. Collins, CO, Jessica Brown of Longmont, CO, and Heather Curtis and husband Jeremy of La Plata, MO. Great-grandchildren include Jacob Curtis of La Plata, MO and Mason Baker of Houston, TX. Merton always had a great love of anything to do with the outdoors. Canoeing and fishing in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area of northern Minnesota and hunting waterfowl with family and friends were of primary interest. He spent great efforts making sure his children and grandchildren also enjoyed and learned about the outdoors. Merton always valued his time with family and friends. Services celebrating Merton’s life will be Thursday, October 13, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. at Pathway Memorial Funeral Home in Moberly, MO, with inurnment to follow in Oakland Cemetery. Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. until time of the service. In lieu of flowers, Memorial contributions in Merton’s name may be made to Ducks Unlimited.