Godfrey—James L. Brown, Sr., 75, passed away at 11:15 a.m. Tuesday, May 26, 2020 at his home.

Born Apr. 13, 1945 in East St. Louis, IL, he was a son of Marvin and Doris (McKinney) Brown.

He married Betty (Miller) Johnson Jan. 23, 1974 in Belleville.  She survives.

A U.S. Army veteran of the Vietnam War, he worked as a forklift operator and also owned his own painting business.  He loved gambling, especially playing slots at the Lumiere Place in St. Louis.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by two sons, James Brown Jr., and Jesse Brown, both of Godfrey; a daughter, Kelly Brown; three grandchildren, Myranda Morris and Danny and Michael Diggs; three great grandchildren, James, Braxston and Eli Morris; a brother, Charles Brown of Belleville; and a sister-in-law, Sandra Trent of Tennessee.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a son, Matthew Brown.

Cremation services entrusted to Paynic Home for Funerals, with an online guestbook available at www.paynicfh.com