Martin G. Brown Obituary (2008)

Martin G. Brown, 83, of Leawood, KS, passed away Saturday, March 8, 2008 at his home. Funeral services will be 1:00 p.m. Tuesday, March 11, 2008 at Kehilath Israel Synagogue, 10501 Conser, Overland Park, KS. Burial at Kehilath Israel Blue Ridge Cemetery. Kindly omit flowers; the famsuggests contributions to Rabbi Herbert Mandl Discretionary Fund at Kehilath Israel Synagogue. Mr. Brown was a native of Kansas City and graduated from Paseo High School in 1941. He was an Eagle scout and a member of the Tribe of the Mic-O-Say. Mr. Brown attended the University of Michigan (Ann Arbor) and belonged to Zeta Beta Tau fraternity. He entered the U.S. Marine Corps in 1943. He served with the Second Marine Division in the Pacific. During the Korean conflict, he trained officer candidates and recruits at Parris Island. He was honorably discharged as a Captain. Mr. Brown was a partner in Sam Brown Auto Parts Co. and Keystone Automotive Warehouse. He created a national marketing program “Bumper to Bumper” which he sold in 1983. He was a marketing consultant for Barkley & Evergreen Advertising for five years. He purchased the ADI Automotive Parts warehouse in 1989, was a partner in the CARQUEST Marketing program, and owned many Carquest auto parts stores before retiring in 1994. Mr. Brown was a lifetime member and past President of Kehilath Israel Synagogue. During his tenure as President (1967-69), the congregation acquired ground for a school building at 108th & Nall and initiated plans for a move to Johnson County from Kansas City, MO. Mr. Brown was a Director of the Broadway National Bank before its merger into the Merchants Bank. He was Director since 1976 of the Valley View State Bank. Mr. Brown was active in the Automotive Warehouse Distributors Association throughout his business career and served as Chairman in 1979. Survivors include his wife of 61 years, Helen Romer Brown; daughters: Sara (Michael) Sher of Highland Park, IL; Loren Beth Brown of New York; Ronna Brown (Robert Jackson) of New York; four grandchildren: Benjamin (Heather), Rachel, Rebecca, and Maia; brothers: Paul (Reeva) Brown and Bernard (Barbara) Brown; brother-in-law: Marvin (Sandra) Romer.