James Arthur Brown

Dr. James Arthur Brown, 82, of Ft. Smith passed away Saturday, March 1, 2014. He was born June 11, 1931 in Ft. Smith to the late Thelma and Orion Arthur Brown. He graduated from Fort Smith High School, the University of Arkansas, the University of Arkansas Medical School in Little Rock, Ark. and the Mayo Clinic Neurosurgery Graduate School in Rochester, Minn. He practiced Neurosurgery at Sparks and St. Edwards Hospitals in Ft. Smith. He was Chief of Surgery at St. Edwards and originally practiced Neurosurgery at Mayo Graduate School. He was a longtime member of First United Methodist Church in Ft. Smith and a member of the Discussion Sunday School Class. He was on the Girl's Shelter Board for almost 40 years doing just about anything serving as President to clean-up crew. He enjoyed photography, birds, gardening, farming, and hiking in his beloved Ozarks and Tetons. He was a member of the Noon Exchange Club and the 49ers Luncheons. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his first wife Shirley Vernor Brown. Funeral services will be 10 a.m. Wednesday, March 5, 2014 at the First United Methodist Church Sanctuary with Reverend Janice Sudbrink and Reverend Dee Dee Autry officiating. Burial will follow at Roselawn Cemetery. Arrangements are under the direction of Fentress Mortuary of Ft. Smith. Dr. Brown is survived by his wife Marlene Tate Brown of the home, five children; Gregory Brown and his wife Tho of Las Vegas, Nev., Sarah Corbin and her husband Phillip of Bentonville, Don Tate and his wife Cathy of Ft. Smith, Rhonda Fow and her husband Steve of Van Buren, and Brandon Tate of Greenwood. He is survived by eight grandchildren; Anh Brown and his wife Nicole of Riverview, Fla., Bao Brown of Las Vegas, Nev., Wyatt Corbin, Jack Elliott Corbin, and Hewitt Corbin all of Bentonville, Meagan Thompson and her husband Kyle of Ft. Smith, Tyler Tate and his wife Jessica of Little Rock, and Cody Fow and his wife Caroline of Benton, Ark., his five great-grandchildren; Christopher, Sydney, Raven, and Ethan Brown and Allie Kate Thompson, his sister Barbara Stinnett of Siloam Springs. He is also survived by his first wife, Shirley Vernor's family, several cousins, nieces, and nephews. Pallbearers will be Steve and Scott Stinnett, Phillip Corbin, Anh Brown, Don Tate, Jr. Brandon Tate, and Steve Fow. Honorary pallbearers will be the Girl's Shelter Board and the Discussion Sunday School Class. Visitation will be 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 4, 2014 at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers memorials may be sent to the Girls Shelter of Fort Smith, 2600 Raleigh Street, Ft. Smith, Ark. 72901 or First United Methodist Church of Ft. Smith, 200 North 15th Street, Ft. Smith, Ark. 72901. To sign the online guest book please visit www.fentressmortuary.com.