Roy Theodore 'Pete' Brown

Roy T. "Pete" Brown, Jr., 88, was born March 16, 1926 and passed away Thursday, December 11, 2014 at his home in Beech Grove Meadows. He was the first born of six children born to Roy T. and Mary "Hazel" (Coffman) Brown, and was a lifelong resident of Indianapolis, Indiana. Both parents, as well as a brother, Ernest Brown, and sisters, Marlene Widdifield and Dorothy Jordan preceded him in death. Pete is survived by brothers, Alvin Earl Brown and wife, Lydia; Ronald Lee Brown and wife, Lois; and a brother-in-law, Dr. Duane Widdifield. Roy T. Brown, Jr. enlisted in the Indiana Guard, Company G, 3rd Infantry on July 11, 1945, and received his honorable discharge as a PFC on July 7, 1947. He also received a letter from the Governor of Indiana, Ralph Gates, for valiant and efficient duty at great personal sacrifice on the 9th of January 1946. On the 20th of April 1946, Pete married Phyllis Elaine Widdifield who preceded him in death in 2000. Pete and Phyllis were married in a double wedding ceremony with his brother, Alvin Earl Brown and Lydia Ciriello. Both couples, as well as his parents, celebrated their 50th wedding anniversaries. Pete then married Elsie Lude of Martins Ferry, Ohio, where he lived until her death in 2010. Pete was a member of Faith Assembly of God Church until his health wouldn't permit. He then attended services at Beech Grove Manor. Pete and his three brothers were employed with the Roy T. Brown Plumbing Co., owned by his father for many years, and then worked for Frank Irish Plumbing, where he became a member of Local 440 Steam and Pipefitters Union of Indianapolis. He and his wife, Phyllis Brown were also well know at their former business, The Fair Havens Tropical Fish and Supply Co. in the Broad Ripple area for over 25 years. Roy T. Brown, Jr. leaves behind three children: Carole Whittemore and husband, Gary; Roy T. "Ted" Brown III and wife, Debbie; and Kathy Sue Worth and husband David; 17 grandchildren, 27 great-grandchildren; and two great-great grandchildren. He was also preceded in death by his daughter, Jennifer Kay Shepard in 2011, and his great-grandson, Blake Dickus in 2006, who is still an 8-year unsolved murder case in Franklin, Indiana. Services will be on Tuesday, December 16 at 12 PM at Flanner and Buchanan- Memorial Park, 9350 E. Washington Street, Indianapolis. Visitation will be on Monday, December 15 from 4-8 PM, and Tuesday from 11 AM until service time. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery.