It is with deep sadness that we share the passing of Tom Brown after a long illness at the age of 73 on Tuesday, Jan. 31. Tom was a loving husband and best friend to Leslie Brown for the past 29 years.

Tom was born in Bellefontaine, Ohio, on Oct. 28, 1949, to his parents, William “Browny” and Ida Brown. The family moved to Pacific, Mo., when he was 8, where he graduated from Pacific High School with the class of 1968.

Tom served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War and after discharge became a DJ for a local radio station. He moved to Joplin in 1982, where he was a DJ for the WMBH country station under the radio name of “Dan Casey.” During that time he became well known for several weeks living on a billboard at the corner of Seventh Street and Range Line Road to raise $14,500 for “Friends Feeding Friends” to feed people in the Joplin area.

Tom also worked as a broadcaster and commentator for several local sports programs on radio and television. He was the broadcast announcer for Missouri Southern Lions baseball games for several seasons when they were in the championships. Tom was a diehard fan of the St. Louis Cardinals baseball team, constantly saying “other sports were just there to entertain us until the next baseball season.”

Tom hosted the MDA Labor Day Telethon “Fishbowl” for over 25 years receiving money for kids to have a better life.

Tom was a member of the first solar house team from Crowder College which competed in a Solar Decathlon competition in Washington, D.C. in 2002, winning “The People’s Choice Award.” Tom recorded broadcast tapes and overnighted them to a local TV station for the news.

Tom found his true passion when he acted in “A Christmas Story” at Stones Throw Dinner Theatre for the first time in 2008 with a very small part. The theater inspired him to become an actor, director, mentor of young people, grant writer, remodeler, maintenance man, summer kids theatre camp director, the theatre manager and the face of Stones Throw Dinner Theatre. One of his favorite productions was “To Kill A Mockingbird,” which won numerous Sally Awards. He finished stage involvement at Stones Throw by directing “A Christmas Story” in December 2022.

Tom is survived by his two children, Brandon Brown and spouse Stephanie, and Jill Jones and spouse Jack; his bonus children, Andrea Collier and spouse Brian, Eric Crow, and Whitney Crow and spouse Michael; and nine grandchildren, in order of birth, Julianne Kalpin, Allison Collier, Finley Crow, Jenna Collier, Harper Phelps, Reese Collier, Russell Collier, Asher Brown, and Jude Jones.

A service will be held at a later date. Memorial contributions may be made to Stones Throw Dinner Theatre, 2466 W. Old Route 66 Blvd, Carthage, MO 64836.

May Tom rest in peace and his memory live on in the hearts of all who knew and loved him.