James Brownlee

New Iberia ;- Funeral services will be at 4:00 PM, on Monday, April 6, 2009, at Pellerin Funeral Home Chapel in New Iberia, for James Ray Brownlee, 94, who passed away on Friday, April 3, 2009 in New Iberia. ; Graveside services will be 2:00 PM Thursday, April 9, 2009 in the Lone Star Cemetery, in Pretty Prairie, Kansas. ; Born on July 20, 1914 to Ray and Goldie Childs Brownlee on a farm near Pretty Prairie, Kansas, Mr. Brownlee attended college at Hays University for awhile and tried wheat farming in Western Kansas. The 1930's were difficult with the drought (dust bowl years) and the depression that brought an end to the farming operation in Kansas. In 1936 while visiting in the vicinity of Buffalo, Missouri, he met Norma Moore. They were married in 1937. He was involved in farming in Missouri until 1943. ; In the spring of 1943, James and Norma with their two children moved back to Kansas near the town of Santana. He began working for the United Carbon Company, later known as Ashland Oil Company. He was transferred to New Iberia, LA in 1963. A member of Trinity Baptist Church, he has been a Sunday School Teacher since 1966. He enjoyed family, friends, gardening, woodworking, feeding the birds and squirrels, traveling and his grandchildren. ; Survivors include his wife of 71 years, Norma Moore Brownlee of New Iberia; sons, Charles Brownlee and wife Evelyn of Liberal, KS, James Brownlee of Murdock, KS, Mike Brownlee and wife Mary of Baton Rouge, LA, Robert Brownlee and wife Esther of Holden, LA; daughters, Charlotte B. Hagaman and husband Lynn of Hillsboro, KS, Barbara B. Brookshire and husband Larry of Hoxie, KS, Terrie B. Romero and husband Russell of New Iberia; sisters, Marjorie B. Martin of Pretty Prairie, KS, May B. Shaw of Ridge Crest, CA; 15 grandchildren, 33 great grandchildren, and 2 great great grandchildren. ; He was preceded in death by his parents, William Ray and Glody Childs Brownlee; brothers, Ralph Brownlee, Paul Lynn Brownlee; sister, Mary Brownlee Youle; and 2 great granddaughters, Margaruite Brownlee and Farrah Bowin. ; Pallbearers will be Mr. Brownlee's grandsons, Glenn Brownlee, Gary Brownlee, Greg Brownlee, Nathan Brookshire, Michael Brownlee, Brent Romero, and Dave Romero. ; The family would to give special thanks to the staff of the special needs unit at Garden View Assisting Living for their care and compassion. ; In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, P.O. Box 4527, New York, NY 10163. ; A gathering of family and friends will be Monday from 2:00 PM until time of service at Pellerin Funeral Home, 502 Jefferson Terrace Blvd, in New Iberia. Additional visitation will be Thursday from 12:30 PM until 1:30 PM at Livingston Price Funeral Home, in Kingman, KS. ; Pellerin Funeral Home, 502 Jefferson Terrace Blvd., New Iberia, LA 70560, 337.365.3331, is in charge of arrangements.