Harry Jay Brown

On Friday, October 9, 2026, Harry Jay Brown was called for his final great adventure. He was known for his Big Fish type tales that his family and friends will remember fondly and with mixed emotions. Like the movie, his stories contained some truth with lots of embellishments for entertainment’s sake. Amus- ingly enough, there wasn’t ever a story about an actual big fish. His tall tales will be remembered by everyone who knew him. We all heard about his 1954 Dodge Dart that was a supercharged, flat head, in-line 6 that beat everyone in his hometown of Duncan Oklahoma.
Born on August 27, 1944, he grew up there with his only sibling, his sister, Bette. They were born to the late Harry J and Claudia Brown. The story goes that he ran moonshine and drove so fast under the restaurant over I 44 that he felt the drag.
In 1970 he married the love of his life, Joan F Cremer (Susie.) After some time in Española, NM where he owned a parts store and Susie owned a yarn/craft store, they moved to Monett, MO. They remained there with their seven children where Harry retired as a Planner for Tyson Foods and Susie was the Choir Director for First Christian Church. Although they scattered across the county as adults, his large family got together regularly for holidays where they were regaled with tales of cartel wedding catering, stunts from torpedoes shot from submarines, high ranking honors and special achievements, and dreams of a hotel/restaurant/bar/convention center that we were all sure would never happen but secretly scared he would try.
Claudia (Scott), Mary (Mike), Harry (Jen), Elizabeth (Steve), William (Jess), Abigail (Steve), and Kaarl (Cassie) all loved their dad while still being mortified by his lack of fashion sense in socks and sandals. His grandchildren, Zarchary, Kay, Aiden, and Isabel will all miss their Pop while they wonder what was true but not actually caring as it was just how their grandfather told stories. He gave memorable wedding blessings (IYKYK) and we will forever remember when we all sang Love Shack with Harry Karaoke. His show was a memory of the Black Kettle that will live fondly with us all. He was so proud of his family and was only disappointed that we all quit drinking as much But that was just because he loved making infused liqueurs of which the vanilla was everyone’s favorite. He consistently mixed up and packaged the family’s seasoning salt, affectionately called Whoopie Dust, for everyone in the family every Christmas. If every- one’s present that he told was “on order” starts coming in, Susie is going to drown in deliveries. But that may be preferable to the gifts such as Scott’s hoe that he received for his birthday that Harry immediately put him to work on the yard with. Despite all the stretched truth, Harry had some amazing true adventures. He was a rodeo clown, standup comedian, volunteer fireman, polio survivor, and generous friend. He loved Susie with all his heart and would do anything for her. He looked out for her to the very end. He had charisma and charm and we will never forget his big personality. “You’re like Santa Clause and the Easter Bunny combined, just as charming and just as fake.” Will Bloom, Big Fish
A Celebration of Harry’s life will be at a later date. Memorial contributions can be made to the First Christian Church, Monett, MO. Arrange- ments are under the personal care and direction of Buchanan Funeral Home, Monett, MO.