Lewis Sterling Brown

Funeral services for Lewis Sterling Brown of Hominy, Oklahoma will be held 2:00 pm, Saturday, January 12, 2008 in the Sanctuary of the First Presbyterian Church in Hominy, Oklahoma with Pastor Bud Tibbles officiating. Memorial contributions may be made to: the American Legion Post 142 Blackwell Frazier in Hominy, Oklahoma. Interment will follow in the A.J. Powell Memorial Cemetery in Hominy. Chapman-Black Funeral Home of Cleveland, Oklahoma will be handling the arrangements.

Sterling was born June 2, 1925 in Hominy, Oklahoma the son of John M. and Bernice B. (Middlebrook) Brown. As a young man he was raised in the Mound Valley Area where he attended school and graduated. While in school Sterling was active in the band playing the trombone. After the completion of his education Mr. Brown entered into the service of his country during World War II. He was inducted at Ft. Sill, Oklahoma, later transferred to California and began his basic training at Ft. Benning, Georgia. After basic training Private Brown became a part of General Patton's 66th Infantry of the 71st Division. He fought in two major campaigns which include Rhineland and the Central European Theater. During this time in the U.S. Army Mr. Brown was promoted to Corporal and received the following decorations and citations: World War II Victory Ribbon, Good Conduct Medal, Army of Occupation Ribbon of Germany, the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal and two Bronze Stars. At the conclusion of World War II Corporal Brown returned to Camp Chaffee, Arkansas and was honorably discharged.

Mr. Brown returned to the Hominy area and accepted a position with Conoco in Ponca City at the refinery. Several years later Sterling was united in marriage on Dec. 23, 1950 in Pawhuska, Oklahoma to Letha Mae (Farmer) Brown. In 1950, Sterling joined forces with his father, uncle and cousin. They started exploration and drilling oil wells in Nowata County. Sterling and Letha remained in Pawhuska for a short time then later moved to Cleveland in 1952. In 1959, Sterling and Letha moved to Hominy on the farm where they have continued to reside. In the mid 1950's, Sterling and his father John began a Grade A Dairy on the family farm south of Hominy. They continued to the operation of the dairy until 1964. After the closure of the operation, Sterling returned with his father to the oil industry as a pumper. Mr. Brown also operated a ranched with over several hundred head of cattle at the peak of the business until the mid 1980's. Sterling and John also did custom bailing and combining in the area.

In his spare time Sterling enjoyed traveling. Some of the most memorable times were spent at Yellowstone National Park as well as Colorado. Sterling and Letha had traveled to just about every state in the lower 48. He also enjoyed wood working, telling jokes, country music, playing the fiddle as well as the mandolin. However most of all Sterling cherished the time spent with his wife, children, grandchildren, family and friends. Mr. Brown was a member of the Masonic Lodge 350 in Hominy, Oklahoma receiving his 50 yr. pin in 1999. He was also a member of the American Legion Post 142 Blackwell Frazier in Hominy, Oklahoma serving in the capacity as Commander many times during his 63 years of membership. Sterling was extremely patriotic and knew what the American flag stood for.

L. Sterling Brown passed way Wednesday, January 9, 2008, at the age 82, in Collinsville, Oklahoma at Frances Streitel Villa. He was preceded in death by his parents and a infant sister.

Lewis is survived by his wife Letha Mae Brown of the home, daughter Debbie Mayo and husband Lonnie of Edmond, Oklahoma; son Michael Brown and wife Connie of Hominy, Oklahoma, one sister Caroll Belmear and husband Clinton of Owasso, Oklahoma, one brother Larry Brown and wife Marilyn of Hominy, Oklahoma; four grandchildren Leah Marie Mayo of Houston, Texas, Douglas Gene Mayo and wife Sarah of Bend, Oregon, Gina Lynn Brown of Hominy, Oklahoma, Michael Bryce Brown of Hominy, Oklahoma; four nephews; one niece as well as a host of other relatives and friends.