Robert Carl Brown, 87 year old year old Big Cabin resident, died Sunday, May 12, 2013 at the Wood Manor Nursing Center in Claremore. He was born June 25, 1925 in Kansas to Carl B. and Ruth Alta (Elliott) Brown. Robert was a graduate of Big Cabin High School Class of 1943. He served his country during World War II, in the Army Air Corps. He was a waist gunner on a B-17 Flying Fortress and a Bronze Star and Purple Heart recipient. While flying a mission over Germany his plane was shot down. Robert spent time as a P.O.W. in the infamous Buchenwald Concentration Camp. Upon his discharge Robert was married to Shirley Jean Mahanes on December 22, 1945, in Oswego, Kansas, she preceded him in death on October 11, 2004. He began working in his father's store, "Brown's General Mercantile" in Big Cabin, after he left the store he and his wife Shirley operated the DX bulk station for a few years, before becoming shop manager for Green Country Ford. Robert was elected and served as the Craig County Assessor for many years, before his retirement. Robert was a member of the New Life Four Square Church near Ketchum. He loved hunting, photography and painting. The family includes: his children Diane Schenk and husband Dean of Commerce City, California, Robin Colvin and husband Buster of Big Cabin, four grandchildren, Gavin Boyd and wife Stephanie, and Clu Colvin all of Big Cabin, Larry D. Swim, II and wife Kristi of Englewood, Colorado, Cia Colvin of Oklahoma City; great-grandchildren, Lane Boyd of Golden, Colorado, Piper, Lear and Barron Colvin of Big Cabin, and Mavry Colvin of Oklahoma City; sister Doris Easling of Vinita; brother, Conrad Brown and wife Martha of Lake Forest, Illinois, several nieces, nephews and other relatives. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, and one brother Roger Brown. Private family services will be held later. Online condolences may be made at www.honoringmemories.com. Arrangements are by the Luginbuel Funeral Home of Vinita.
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