Ray E. Brown

Raymond E. "Ray" Brown, age 83 of Grafton, ND passed away on Monday, May 17, 2010 at the Unity Medical Center of Grafton. Raymond E. Brown was born November 10, 1926 in Courtney, ND the son of the late Edwin and Delta (Miller) Brown. He grew up and attended school in Jamestown, ND. Ray enlisted in the United States Navy in 1943 and served until 1947. Following his discharge he attended UND for a year and finished his education at the Union Commercial College in 1949. Ray was united in marriage to Ione Strommen on November 5, 1948 in Grand Forks. The couple lived in Grand Forks until April of 1952 when they moved to Grafton and Ray worked as the Office Manager at the Grafton Motors. In August of 1957 Ray started Ray E. Brown and Associates and he worked as a Licensed Public Accountant until retiring in 1992. He was a member of the Grafton Federated Church, Crescent Masonic Lodge, Kem Temple Shrine, the Grafton American Legion Post #41, the Grafton V.F.W. Post #9367. He was also a member of the Grafton Jaycee's, served as President of the North Dakota Public Accountants Society, served with the National Public Accountants Society, served on the Unity Hospital Board from 1978-1984, served as Secretary of the Grafton Chamber of Commerce for 15 yrs. He was named Boss of the Year in 1991. Ray is survived by his wife Ione, Grafton, ND; children: Pam Johnson, Grafton, ND; Dan (Peggy) Brown, Dickinson, ND; Wendy (John) Anzalone, Louisville, KY; three grandchildren: Joshua Moline, Westhope, ND; Elizabeth Brown, Dickinson, ND; and Nicholas Anzalone, Louisville, KY. He was preceded in death by his parents. Funeral Services will be Thursday, May 20, 2010 at 2:00 PM at the Grafton Federated Church. Visitation will be Wednesday from 5-7 PM at the Tollefson Funeral Home of Grafton. A prayer service and Masonic Service will be Wednesday at 7:00 PM at the Tollefson Funeral Home. Friends may also call at the church on Thursday for one hour prior to the service. Interment will be at the Crescent Cemetery of Grafton. Military rites will be provided by the Grafton American Legion Post #41 and the North Dakota National Guard Honor Guard.