Kenneth "Bear" Ray Brown
April 9, 1948 — October 31, 2023
Kenneth "Bear" Ray Brown, 75, of Columbus, GA died October 31, 2023 at his residence.
Funeral services with Fireman Honors will be held 2:00 PM Monday, November 6, 2023 in the chapel of McMullen Funeral Home and Crematory with Chaplain Mark Burnett officiating. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the funeral home, 3874 Gentian Blvd. Columbus, GA 31907. Interment will be held following the service at Parkhill Cemetery.
Kenny was born April 9, 1948 in Columbus, GA son of the late George F. Brown and Willie Elizabeth Tyler Brown. He was a lifelong resident of Columbus Georgia and attended Jordan Vocational High School. After serving in the United States Army during Vietnam, Kenny came back home to Columbus and earned his Fire Science degree from CVCC. Kenny joined the Columbus Fire Department. "Bear" as he's known throughout the fire department received the Fireman of the Year Award in 1998 after his battle with throat cancer. He loved being a part of the Columbus Fire Department. It was a special brotherhood and he was very proud to be a part of the department. He made very many lifelong friendships and memories. "Bear" retired from the fire department after 31 years and spent the rest of his years on the golf course. You could find him any given day at Bull Creek or Red Oak playing with his golfing buddies. Kenny spent his last years enjoying his time with family and friends. Other than his parents he is preceded in death by his wife, Bennie Louise Abercrombie Brown; siblings, Linda Sowell, Pamela Swanger, and Patricia Jamison.
Survivors include his daughter, Kendal Brown Boggs (Tommy) of Opelika, AL; son, Forrest Brown of Columbus, GA; grandchildren, Benny Boggs of Opelika, AL, Olivia Boggs of Opelika, AL, Forrest Tyler Brown of Ft. Worth, TX, Kenadi Brown of Fortson, GA; his loving sweetheart, Betty Westbrook of Columbus, GA; his loving extended family, Diane Olesin Martel (Scott) of Fortson, GA, Matthew John Olesin (Jenna) of Santa Rosa, FL, Brenden Vietti of Fortson, GA, Skylar Olesin of Santa Rosa, FL, Brooklyn Olesin of Santa Rosa, FL, and Kayden Eggie of Santa Rosa, FL.
Flowers will be accepted, those so desiring may make contributions to the John B. Amos Cancer Center, 1831 5th Ave, Columbus, GA 31904.
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