James Russell Brown passed away on February 23, 2020 in Lubbock, Texas. He was born February 20, 1945 in Alamosa, CO and raised on the Brown family farm near La Jara, CO. Russ, or as most of us called him Rusty, was the fourth of six children born to Thomas Harold and Irene Brown. He attended school in La Jara, CO where he excelled in the team sports of football and wrestling. After high school, Russ worked as a potato inspector, attended Adams State College and joined the Army where he fought in the Vietnam War in 1968 and 1969. After his safe return home, he would marry and settle down in Albuquerque, New Mexico where he became a father to four daughters and one son. Later in life, he would meet the love of his life, Jo Ann Yates, and reside and live the rest of his life in Artesia, NM. He was a very loving father and grandfather.

Russ was preceded in death by parents, Thomas Harold and Irene Brown, grandparents, Thomas and wife Myrtle Brown, and Charles and wife Vernice Franks, sister, Lynda Sue McCoy, nephews, James and Gerald Jones, and grandniece, Jackie Jones.

He is survived by daughters, Tera Chavez, Tamara Pierce, Tanya Pino, and Tressy Pointer and son Thomas James (TJ) and wife, five granddaughters, seven grandsons, one great-grandson, two great-granddaughters, step children, Frank Yates and wife Mary , Shari Yates Farrell and husband Thomas, Scott Yates and wife Jill, and Darin Yates and wife Tonna, brother, Wendell Brown, sisters, Phyllis Hoyt, Delores Ford and Sharon Engelhardt, former spouse, Margo Eagan Ray and husband Arthur, and many nieces and nephews.

There will be a viewing Sunday, March 1, 2020 from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Rogers Family Mortuary in Alamosa located at 205 State Avenue. The funeral will take place at 11:00 am on Monday, March 2, 2020 at Church of Jesus Christ of LDS Mormon Church at 927 Weber Drive, Alamosa, CO. Interment will follow services in the Sanford Cemetery. The family asks that you send flowers, gifts, and donations to Rogers Mortuary 205 State Avenue Alamosa, Colorado. Donations may be made to “The Disabled Veterans” in honor of James Russell Brown (Russ). To express condolences, please visit www.rogersfunerals.com

Rogers Family Mortuary in Alamosa is in care of the arrangements.