Elton Loy Brown was born May 28, 1931 in Melrose, NM to the home of Myrtie and John O. Brown and passed away on March 25, 2012 in Lubbock, TX. Elton was a 1949 graduate of Floyd High School. Elton was a school bus contractor and drove the bus while he was still in high school. Elton later sold the bus to his brother Jake. On February 7, 1951 in Portales, he was married to Lavon McCormack. In May 1951, they purchased a farm at the south edge of Portales where Elton made his home for the rest of his life. In the mid 1950s he worked for about three years in the oil fields around Lovington, but farming was always his life. Elton was awarded the American Farmer in 1949.
Elton was a member of the First United Methodist Church where he had served on various committees. For more than 57 years he had been a member of the Portales Masonic Lodge #26. Elton coached youth baseball and basketball teams, and faithfully followed the sporting events and games of his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Elton served on the ASCS Board, as a County Commissioner and on the Board of Roosevelt General Hospital. Elton and Lavon were active for a number of years in the Cotillion Club and the Conestoga Good Sams.
Elton is survived by Lavon, his wife of more than 61 years; a daughter and son-in-law, Donna and Mike Woolley of Portales; a daughter-in-law, Susie Brown of Rogers; 13 grandchildren, Stacey (Tommy) Haley, Michael Woolley, Nathan Brown, Marissa (Nate) Hyde, Sean Brown, Andrea Brown, Greg (Leah) Price, Allison (Russell) Craig, Kimberly (Jon) Latham, Kelly (JoJo) DeLaRosa, Kari Jones, Matthew (Amanda) Parkey, and Garrett Price; 10 great-grandchildren, Hunter, Madi and Will Haley, Austin Hyde, Henry Oliver and Lucy Price, Alexus Garcia and Mariah Parkey Craig, and Jerlisha and J. D. DeLaRosa; a brother, Dale Brown of Portales; a sister, Mary Etta Greenlees of San Diego, CA; and numerous nieces and nephews. Elton was preceded in death by his parents, a brother, Jake Brown, three sister, Norma Morgan, Gayle Greene, and Oleta Jackson, and by his son, Mack Brown who passed away on February 1, 2012. Funeral services for Elton Brown, 80, of Portales will be at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, March 29, 2012 at the First United Methodist Church in Portales with Rev. Michael Brunk officiating. Burial will be in the Portales Cemetery with his 13 grandchildren serving as pallbearers. All of his nieces, nephews, cousins and many friends will be honorary pallbearers. In Lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to either the New Mexico Christian Children's Home, 1356 NM 236, or the New Mexico Baptist Children's Home, 2200 S. Ave I. The family will receive guests at the funeral home on Wednesday evening from 6:00 p.m. until 7:30 p.m.