Cover photo for Rich Brown's Obituary
Rich Brown Profile Photo

Rich Brown

d. February 24, 2020

Memorial Mass for Richard “Rich” Brown, 71, Lawrence will be held 10:00 a.m. Saturday, February 29, 2020, at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in Lawrence. Inurnment will follow in Mt. Calvary Cemetery. He passed away Monday, February 24, 2020, at Olathe Hospice House, Olathe, KS.

Rich was born on December 5, 1948, in Lawrence, Kansas, the son of William F. “Kise” and Mary Evelyn (Ice) Brown.

He attended Lecompton grade school, St. John’s and graduated from Lawrence High School Class of 1967. He attended KU for 4 years. He was a proud member of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation, given the name Mama Gigenot, “Top Cook”. Rich worked his entire adult life in the pizza business. First for Pizza Hut, Mama Jeneric’s, Pyramid spending the last 21 years at Wheel Pizza. He was famously known as “Pizza Pete”. He was a pitcher in Legion baseball and always followed the sport. Rich was a devoted fan of KU athletics. Many players called him friend. He remembered generations of KU students by name. Rich enjoyed visiting with family, friends and new friends, sharing memories and stories. He was an advisor, good listener and compassionate. He didn’t want recognition, only to help people along the way they traveled. His caring is unmeasurable.

Survivors include his sister and brother-in-law, Mary Frances & Michael Riner, Lawrence; nieces, Alexis Riner and Sandy Wagner (Mike); great niece, Michaela Wagner; sister-in-law, Felicia Brown; his Brown cousins and numerous Ice family cousins as well as extended family and endless friends. He was preceded in death by his Dad, Kise Brown, Mother, Evelyn, brothers, Stanley and Ed.

A Rosary will be said at 6:00 p.m. Friday, February 28, 2020 followed by a visitation until 8:00 p.m. at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church.

The family suggests memorials in his name to Rich Brown Memorial Fund and may be sent in care of the Warren-McElwain Mortuary, 120 W. 13th Street, Lawrence, KS 66044. The fund will be used to continue Rich’s passion for helping others.

To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Rich Brown, please visit our flower store.

Service Schedule

Past Services

Rosary

Friday, February 28, 2020

6:00 - 8:00 pm (Central time)

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St. John The Evangelist Catholic Church


Lawrence, KS

Memorial Mass

Saturday, February 29, 2020

Starts at 10:00 am (Central time)

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St. John The Evangelist Catholic Church


Lawrence, KS

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