Ephraim James "Ej" Brown

EJ Brown, 82, of Buckner, MO returned to our Heavenly Father on December 2, 2021. A graveside service will be at 2pm, December 17, 2021 at Buckner Hill Cemetery. A memorial service will be at 10am, December 18, 2021 at Buckner Restoration Branch. EJ, a Valentine baby, was born on February 14, 1939 in Independence, MO to Richard and Alice (Stanard) Brown. He learned the value of hard work at an early age working with the animals on his family farm and working with his family’s plastering company for many years. These early experiences instilled an unsurpassed work ethic within EJ that remained with him his entire life. Many of the homes in the area that the Brown family plastered still have Ephraim’s signature swirl pattern that was uniquely his. One customer asked his father where the machine was that did the pattern in the ceiling to which he smiled, turned, pointed at EJ and said, “It’s right there.” Ephraim was a life-long servant of the Lord and his service in the priesthood began with his calling to the office of Deacon during his senior year of high school before graduating from Fort Osage High School in 1957. He attended Graceland College in Lamoni, IA where he was going to play football, but after two weeks the tender-hearted family man was homesick and returned home. He continued working in the construction industry which eventually led him to working at Unistrut Midwest in North Kansas City, MO. It was during this time a church acquaintance that was working to build a church in East Lansing, MI met a girl, Martha Stanke, that he really wanted to introduce to EJ. A true love story ensued that could not be hindered by miles or distance. Ephraim, a hopeless romantic, proposed to Marty in a one room schoolhouse he had attended in Liberty, MO and the two were married on June 13, 1970. EJ continued working for Unistrut where he made his way into the sales department. EJ consistently won the top sales awards year after year, and he was promoted to management to run the Kansas City office. The devote family man would even take his three children Beth, Courtney, and Chad to his office on the weekends so he could still be with them while he needed to work. Armed with the support of his true companion, faith in himself and that the Lord would provide, EJ left Unistrut in 1987 to start a specialty construction company with Marty called E&J Specialty Contractor, Inc. despite having a young family to support. Together, they owned and operated the company for over 25 years. EJ was an integral member of the Buckner Restoration Branch where he served as a Priest, an Elder, Treasurer and on the original building committee where his meticulous work lives on within the church building. EJ lived selflessly always giving of his time and talents in service to others. He was always willing to pitch in on a project at the church, mow someone’s grass or help one of his kids with anything they needed. The soft-spoken Ephraim could often be found washing dishes in the kitchen of the church while his partner in all things, Marty, oversaw the food. EJ radiated Christ’s love by living his life as an example for others and always welcoming everyone with a soft smile and firm handshake.

Survivors include; daughters Beth Guiot (Joe), Courtney Farrell (Jason), son Chad Brown (Amanda); and Amy Portz (Kenny); grandchildren Reagan Guiot, Timothy Farrell, Maggie Farrell, Clare Brown, Jack Brown and Mason Brown; brother Jerry Brown. He is preceded in death by his wife Marty, his parents, sister Donna Clark and brother Dickey Brown. In lieu of flowers and to continue Ephraim’s legacy of giving, contributions can be made to the charity of your choice or memorial contributions in Ephraim’s name may be made to Buckner Restoration Branch at 2607 N Twyman Road, Independence, MO 64058. Online condolences may be expressed at www.speakschapel.com (Arrangements: Speaks Suburban Chapel 816-373-3600).