Jack Earnest Brown, 95

Jack Brown passed away peacefully of natural causes at his home in Kalispell on Thursday, April 20, 2017. He was 95.

Jack was born in Havre on June 18, 1922. He spent his early years on the family ranch near Box Elder, and attended primary school there. During the summer months, he herded ewes and lambs on his father’s ranch, with the help of his two faithful dogs. The ranch was home to more than 50,000 head of sheep.

In 1936, Jack moved to the Flathead Valley with his parents Jack Sr., and mother Lydia, along with sisters Janice and Dorothea (all since deceased). After arriving in Kalispell, he met, and fell in love with Cecille Sykes, They married in 1939 and had two sons, Scott and Ron. Cecille passed away in 1996, at the age of 73. Following Cecille’s death, Jack remarried the new love of his life, Cheri, and the two enjoyed many wonderful years and memories, right up to Jack’s final hours.

At the age of 19, Jack and a partner signed a one-year lease of Sykes’ Grocery from his father-in-law, Cecil Sykes. A year later he enlisted in the Army Air Corps. After discharge, Jack purchased Sykes’ Grocery and served as owner and manager for the next two years. During that time, the store was enlarged, a “first-of-a-kind” 10-stool soda fountain was introduced, and new equipment was installed. In 1948 he sold the store back to Cecil Sykes. His dream was always to build his own store, and following the sale of Sykes’ back to his father-in-law, he determined the location of his new store. That dream would become a reality on the northeast side of Kalispell along Highway 2. The name of this new dream was B&B Grocery. Due to tremendous success, the store was expanded, and re-named as B&B Shopping Center. This also led to additional stores in Polson and Columbia Falls.

In 1959, Jack sold the B&B Stores to Fred Meyer and at their request continued to serve in an advisory capacity until 1964. Jack retired to enjoy more time with his family and his favorite hobby, golf. In later years, his passion for golf, turned to fishing. Countless, wonderful hours on Flathead lake, with his fishing partners (not the least of which, his wife Cheri) became his new passion and it didn’t end until he became physically unable to manage launching and un-launching his boat. Other hobbies included reading, playing cards and games and watching the Seattle Seahawks games, as well as other televised sports.

Jack was very civic minded and was active in the Montana Food Dealers Association, serving as president in 1954, served on the board of Independent Grocery Association (IGA), headquartered in Spokane, a member of the Order of Elks, a co-founder of the Kalispell Lions Club, past president of the Kalispell Golf Association, and a member of the Kalispell Chamber of Commerce. Jack served for many years on the board of directors for the C.E. Conrad Memorial Cemetery, and as well as the board of directors for the Conrad National Bank. His many awards and honors for civic contributions included “Man of the Year” and “Boss of the Year.” He was even approached to run for governor of Montana many years ago, which he declined. Jack lived by the “Golden Rule.” Nobody was any less than he and he could hold his head high with anyone, and his word was his bond.

Jack leaves behind his wife, Cheri; sons, Scott (Shirley) of LaPine, Oregon, and Ron (Judy) of Maui, Hawaii; grandchildren, Eric of Vancouver, Washington, Hilary of Arroyo Grande, California, Kemp of Seattle, and Derek of Missoula; and great-grandchildren, Austin and Alexis of Vancouver, Trey of Missoula, and Iris of Belle Fourche, South Dakota. He will also be missed by stepsons, Patric Stuber and family of Montgomery, Alabama, and Matthew and family of Topeka, Kansas, as well as step-grandchildren, Christina of Belle Fourche, and Tera of Boise, Idaho.

Our wonderful husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather will live in our hearts forever, and the sweet memories will never end. Godspeed our dear person and rest in peace.

Services will be at 11 a.m. Monday, April 24, at the Bethlehem Lutheran Church on South Main Street in Kalispell. Internment to follow at C.E. Conrad Memorial Cemetery, immediately following services.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made, in Jack’s memory, to the Museum at Central School.