Obituary of Richard Ray Brown

Rev. Richard Ray “P.J.” Brown

of Man, WV

   Rev. Richard Ray “P.J.” Brown, 77, of Man, fought a good fight, finished his course, kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for him a crown of righteousness.  He left this world on Tuesday, April 2, 2019, at Dignity Hospice House at Chapmanville, surrounded by his loving wife and son, after an extended illness.

   He was born January 17, 1942, at Greenville, the son of the late Willard and Catherine Elizabeth Wheeler Brown.

   In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one grandson, Derick Michael Brown.

   Richard was a 1960 graduate of Man High School.  He married the love of his life Carol Daniels on December 25, 1963.  P.J. was drafted into the U.S. Army where he served from 1966 to 1968.  After being honorably discharged he returned to Man and went to work in the coal mines.  P.J. was a UMWA coal miner who retired after 33 years of service.  He became a Christian in the early 1970’s and was ordained as a Freewill Baptist Minister in 1976.  P.J. was a member of the Hunt Freewill Baptist Tabernacle where he served as Pastor from 1980 until 1988.  He loved going to church, preaching, teaching Sunday School, and spending time with his family.  An avid outdoorsman, P.J. enjoyed fishing, hunting, and camping.   He was a talented carpenter who could fix anything but was especially gifted at fine furniture making.  Devoted to his family, P.J. was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend.

   Those left to cherish his memory are his loving wife of 55 years, Carol Daniels Brown; one son, Kevin Brown of Winfield; three brothers, Gary (Sue) Brown of Combs Addition, Jimmy (Sandy) Brown of Man, and Larry Brown of Louisville, KY; three sisters, Gail Adkins of Front Royal, VA, Tonnia Doty of Crown, and Patty (George) Walker of Charlottesville, VA; and many nieces and nephews along with a host of other relatives, church family, and friends.

   The family would like to extend a thank you to Chris Tipton and the staff at Lincoln Primary and Dr. Haffar for the great care they gave to P.J. during his illness and to Dignity Hospice for the excellent care during this time.

   Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, April 6, 2019, at the Hunt Freewill Baptist Tabernacle at Greenville with Rev. Kit Meade and Rev. William Runyon, Jr. officiating.  Burial will follow in Forest Lawn Cemetery at Pecks Mill where military honors will be observed.

   Visitation will be held one hour prior to services at the church also.

   Pallbearers will be nephews.

   Honorary pallbearers will be Billy Jack Greene, Freddie Greene, Jimmy Justice, Jerry Perry, Kenny Workman, Brian Perry, Bruce Browning, Jimbo Brown, Jimbo Belcher, Mike Daniels, and Pete Daniels.

   Online condolences may be sent to www.krantzmcneelyfuneralhome.com

   Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of the Krantz-McNeely Funeral Home at Man.