John R. Brown, 80, of Fort Wayne, passed away on Saturday July 18, 2026 surrounded by his family. John was born March 12, 1946 in Huron, South Dakota to the late Robert E. Brown and Francis Madsen-Brown.
John graduated from Blue Springs High School in 1964 and enrolled at Huron College in South Dakota. He changed majors several times before eventually leaving his first attempt at college without completing his degree. Faced with the possibility of being drafted for the Vietnam War, he decided to enlist in the Navy in 1966. He thought that the Navy “would have less marching around” but quickly found out that wasn't the case.
He served for 3 years as a Fire Control Technician (FTSGN-1160), including 11 months at sea on the USS Proteus and the USS Sperry, even receiving a special commendation from the Captain of the USS Proteus. He followed this service with 3 years of reserves before being honorably discharged. He would later jokingly tell his children that his job “was to put gasoline in the nuclear submarines.” He carried this humor, and numerous jokes, the rest of his life.
After his military service, John enrolled at Central Missouri State and graduated cum laude with a degree in Computer Science in 1974. He worked on mainframes, but loved programming and bought one of the first personal PCs available commercially.
He married Ann in 1984 and they had three daughters that John completely adored. He’d recognize them with a special eyebrow lift that easily designated his love.
John attained his MBA from Indiana Wesleyan University in 1994 to the delight of his wife and daughters, who screamed, “GO DAD” as he crossed the stage for his diploma. The dean shook his hand and said, “Good job, Dad.”
His marriage with Ann ended in 2006.
In 2008, John was diagnosed with throat cancer. He completed radiation and chemotherapy and went into remission. This led to complications with weakened throat muscles for the rest of his life.
He married Jeannine in 2011 and suddenly had three additional bonus daughters. They lived happily together in Harlan, Indiana for many years before moving to StoryPoint in Fort Wayne in early 2026.
John is survived by his wife Jeannine Knotts-Brown, of Fort Wayne; daughters, Beth Brown of Winona, Minnesota, Kate (Jon) Dosmann of Niles, Michigan, and Julie (Jake) Straughn of Edwardsburg, Michigan; bonus daughters, Meegan (Mark) Siegwarth of Huntertown, Indiana, and Dinah (Michael) Keeterle of Springfield, Tennessee; 13 grandchildren; and 4 great grandchildren; brothers, Tom (Sharon) Brown of Grain Valley, Missouri and Phil (Caren) Brown of Parker, Colorado.
He was preceded in death by his bonus daughter, Molly Rennaker.
A Celebration of Life will take place on Wednesday, July 22, 2026 at 3:00 pm with memorial visitation beginning at 2:00 pm at FairHaven Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 6557 N. Clinton St.
John will be laid to rest at Eel River Cemetery.
Preferred memorials may be directed to American Legion Post 409 in Leo, Indiana.