Roy R. Brown

Roy Richard Brown, 80, of Grantville, passed away peacefully on Sunday, April 19th 2026 at his home surrounded by loved ones. Throughout his journey, he remained the kind, caring, genuine man that everyone has known and loved.

Roy is survived by his son Russel (Dina) Brown, daughter Rhonda (Ian) Johnson and grandchildren Payke (Jessica), Tucker, Lakin, Tabor, Hannah and Haylee as well as siblings Helen (Charles), Don and Kenny.

He was preceded in death by his wife Mary (“Kathy”), his son Rodney, his parents Lawrence and Bessie Brown and siblings Bob, Mary and John.

Roy was born in Topeka, KS on May 9th 1945 to Lawrence and Bessie (Spillman) Brown. The youngest of 7 children and a country/farm boy through and through. He attended a one-room school house near Grantville and spent his time with family on the farm tending to livestock and keeping daily life entertaining.

While attending High School in Perry, he met the love of his life. He was known to be on the ornery side and excelled in track. Roy and Kathy both graduated from Perry High School in 1963. Soon after graduating, he started his lifelong career with Goodyear Tire Company.

Roy married Kathy (Pilgrim) on July 10th, 1965. Their journey over the next 60 years was filled with many adventures and a genuine love for each other that was unmatched. They moved to Colorado for a short time after Roy joined the Army and was drafted soon after to serve in the Vietnam War. While in Vietnam, he was quickly recruited to drive a supply truck due to his skills he learned on the farm. The locals recognized him as the generous soldier that would smile, wave and share anything extra with them.

They were blessed with 3 children; Rodney, Russel and Rhonda and then later with 6 grandchildren who were the light of their lives. Papa Roy always had a kid on his lap and would literally do anything they asked him.

Many words can be used to describe Roy’s career: entrepreneur, hunter, salesman, wheeler-dealer and collector to name a few. He was a champion “Coon” hunter from childhood through the 80’s, was part owner of a used car dealership and went on to start his own business, ‘The Wagon Depot’, all while working for Goodyear where he dedicated over 35 years of his life.

Roy will be remembered as one of a kind. He was as tough as they come, but had a genuine heart made of gold, he spent many hours volunteering at church, helped with whatever latest project his wife was working on, attended his kid’s and grandkid’s events, spent countless hours on the road traveling to auctions all across the country buying and selling antiques, helped anyone and everyone that needed something (big or small) and loved to ‘tinker’ around the house fixing up antique wagons amongst many other old treasures. He will be deeply missed.

The family will have a visitation on Wednesday, April 29th from 5-7pm at Parker-Price and Davidson, 245 NW Independence, Topeka, KS 66608. Funeral service will be Thursday, April 30th beginning at 11:00 am at the Grantville United Methodist Church. Graveside interment will be held at the Grantville Cemetery.