James Leslie Brown

Farmington
Judge James L. Brown bandw photo Brown.1.jpg color photo Brown.2.jpg Marines icon
Feb. 10, 1925 - Sept. 16, 2017
Judge James L. Brown, 92, of Farmington, passed away Saturday, Sept. 16, 2017. He spent his last few hours having a beer and watching the fights with his best friend, Sherman. He was born Feb. 10, 1925, in Oklahoma City.
From a poor Oklahoma boy to a New Mexico district court judge, Jim had persistence and drive like none other. He showed the same drive on the golf course, played a mean game of bridge, and never let his grandkids cheat at Connect Four.
After high school in Oklahoma, Jim enlisted, touring the South Pacific in WWII as a Radar and Radio operator attached to the U.S. Marine Air Corps. In 1950, Jim became one of the first graduates from UNM Law School. That same year, he also moved to Farmington and opened his law practice, focusing on personal injury law. He practiced law for 26 years, and in 1976 was elected district judge in the 11th Judicial District. In 1991, Jim retired from the bench, allowing him to further pursue his other passions: golf, bridge, art, trips to Costco, and most importantly, family.
Grandpa Trips were a tradition and his way of passing on a legacy of love and wisdom to his grandchildren. Jim would take his grandchildren all over the Southwest. No matter the final destination, trips always included a drive to his favorite place, a lone tree in the hills of Northern New Mexico, "Grandpa's Tree," as it became known amongst the grandchildren. Jim loved it here and told his grandchildren that when he passed from this life, he wanted his ashes to be spread at the base of his tree.
Jim is survived by his loving wife of 55 years, Joyce, AKA "the wicked stepmother;" daughter, Leslie (Glen) Murray of Farmington; son, David (Nadine) Brown of Anaheim, Calif.; son, Mark Brown of Tukwila, Wa.; son, Mike (Wilma) Brown of Farmington; daughter, Teresa (Max) Anderson of Sun City, Ariz., 12 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.
Just weeks before he passed, all 45 members of Jim's family were blessed to gather under one roof for a family reunion.
Jim outlived his favorite tree, but in his honor, the Brown Family will say goodbye to him by spreading his ashes where that old piñon once stood.
Jim's care is entrusted to Brewer, Lee and Larkin Funeral Home, 103 E. Ute St. in Farmington, 505-325-8688. Those who wish to express their condolences may do so at serenityandcompany.com.