Paul Brown

Paul James Brown lost his battle with cancer on November 29, 2013 with his loving wife Barbara at his side. Paul was born on October 4, 1934 at home to Ione and John Brown. The Browns were devout Catholics and attended Little Flower Church. Paul attended Catholic school and graduated from Central High School in 1952. From an early age Paul was devoted to his family. He got his first job as a paperboy at the age of 9 to help his parents out. This began his strong work ethic that continued throughout his life. He joined the Navy after graduating from high school. While he was in the Navy on a rainy April evening in New Port, RI he met Barbara Ericson at a quaint coffee house. She was a nurse and worked at a nearby Hospital. She was 21 and he was 23. They were married in Barbara's home town, Gardner, MA on August 17, 1957. They had 4 children. Paul will be remembered for his love of family and his strong work ethic. His many jobs include: car washing and driving a cab while studying for an insurance job while they lived in Boston. He sold Insurance there until moving his family back to Montana in 1962. There he had his dream job of owning and operating an Exxon station with his father John on 24th and Broadwater until it was closed due to the expansion of the west end of Billings in the 1970's. After that he worked for Linco Distributors. He was a partner in Clowntown in the Mall and The Popcorn Palace. In 1982 he joined his brother Ben in First National Pawn until he retired in 1996. After taking a few years off to travel and enjoy his family, he did odd jobs, doing construction with his son-in-law John at Stekar Construction and driving cars for Hertz Rentals until he began his last and favorite job, working with his son Steve at his pawn shop Cash King. He loved his years at First National Pawn and Cash King the most and was a natural salesman. He was working up until 3 weeks before he passed away. Paul is survived by his wife Barbara; his children Steve (Patty) Brown, Robin (John) Stekar, Sandra (Steve) Borth, and Shelly (Matt) Oksendahl; 11 grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren; 1 sister, Geraldine (Ralph) Hodges of Newberg, OR; 2 brothers, Ben Brown of Maui, HI, and John D. (Vicki) Brown of Renton, WA. He is preceded in death by his parents John W. Brown and Lyla Ione Brown. Cemetery: Holy Cross Cemetery Service: Prayer Vigil will be 7 p.m. Friday, December 6, 2013 at Dahl Funeral Chapel, 10 Yellowstone Ave, Billings. Memorial Mass will be 10 a.m. Saturday, December 7, 2013 at Little Flower Church at 210 S. 34th St., Billings.