Reuben R. Brown

Reuben Rutherford Brown, son of Veola Harkins and John Brown, died on May 9, 2016. Reuben was born on March 24, 1921, and was raised in Fillmore, Tishomingo and Chickasha Oklahoma. Reuben served in the segregated Army Air Corps during World War II, and upon discharge joined the Air Force ROTC while attending Kansas University. He received his bachelor's degree at a time when it was uncommon for African Americans to attend college. He was active in the Alpha Chi Omega fraternity and met fellow student Evelyn Harris through one of his many social activities. They married in 1950 and enjoyed 64 years together. Before Reuben's retirement as a Major in the Air Force in 1968, they traveled to more than 50 countries including Germany, Japan, Norway, Austria, England, Portugal and Mexico. They had four children, Denise, Julie, Martin and Lauri. In 1965, they settled their growing family in Rancho Cordova. Reuben obtained a teaching credential and began a second career in 1968 in the Folsom-Cordova School District at Kitty Hawk and Cordova Villa elementary schools. After retiring again in 19--, he thoroughly enjoyed running into former students and recalling their 10-year-old selves. Dad was the consummate gentleman. He enjoyed gambling trips to Reno and Tahoe, rooting for the Kansas Jayhawks basketball team and the Oakland A's baseball team. He also enjoyed greeting neighbors on walks around the neighborhood. But mostly Dad loved loving Mom, whose 2014 passing left him bereft. He and Mom are together again, cheering on the A's and the Jayhawks, smiling and making each other laugh, as they begin the next part of their journey together. Donations in Reuben's memory can be made to the Cordova Villa Library or Technology Fund, attention Mrs. Hutchinson, Cordova Villa School, 10359 South White Rock Road, Rancho Cordova CA 95670. Cemetery Details Sacramento Valley National Cemetery Dixon, CA, Visitation MAY 26. 04:00 PM - 08:00 PM Sierra View Funeral Chapel & Crematory, Inc. 6201 Fair Oaks Blvd. Carmichael, CA, US, 95608 http://www.sierraviewfuneralchapel.net/ Graveside Funeral Ceremonies MAY 27. 10:15 AM - 10:45 AM Sacramento Valley National Cemetery 5810 Midway Road Dixon, CA, US, 95620