Alfred Brown
Alfred Bennett Brown, 77, was born at home on Feb. 9, 1941 in McKenzie County. He attended Dodge School. He left high school to start his oil field career, driving truck for Lawrence Brothers. He also drove grain truck, hot oil truck, and various other oil field duties. He then went on to the drilling rigs where he worked for years until he, his brother, Lloyd, and mentor, Irvin Noftsker, started their own fishing tool business. One of his favorite pastimes was sharing stories of adventures on the drilling rigs with his old crew.
Alfred helped to establish the McKenzie County Bank where he served on the Board for 30 years and was involved in the Investment Club. Alfred, his brother, Lloyd, and Dennis Johnson, enjoyed their single engine airplane. One of his favorite quotes was “all of North Dakota is a landing strip.” He loved doing yard work on his property south of town. He always dreamed of being a farmer, but worked in the oil field so he could afford it. You frequently could find Al feeding various kinds of wildlife, like deer, birds and squirrels. His favorite was a squirrel he named Peanut.
Alfred was very active in the Watford City Wesleyan Church. He led Lay Witness Missions, and had a passion for introducing people to a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
His greatest passion was to know God in His fullness and become more Christ-like in all areas of his life, which impacted every person with whom he came in contact. Proverbs 20:7 “The godly walk with integrity; blessed are their children who follow them.” (NLT)
Alfred passed away on Wednesday, Dec. 26, 2018, at the McKenzie County Health Service, Watford City, N.D.
Surviving him are his wife, Joanne Brown, Watford City, N.D.; his son, Gary (Cheryl) Brown, Watford City, N.D.; his daughter, Donna (Dwayne) Keener, Minot Air Force Base, N.D;. his brothers, Larry Brown, Hettinger, N.D., Harry Brown, Clarissa, Minn., and Dean Brown, Watford City, N.D.; his sisters, Barb Welsh, Milaca, Minn., Marvel Ritzke, Watford City, N.D., Marjory Crawford, Anamoose, N.D., Ramoma Odegard, Bismarck, N.D., and Karen Trudeau, St. Paul, Minn.; six grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents; and his brothers, Lloyd, David, and Virgil Brown.
Funeral services for Alfred Bennett Brown were held at 10 a.m., on Saturday, Dec. 29, 2018, at the Cross Point Church in Watford City Pastor Adrian Timmons officiated. Interment was in the Silent City Cemetery, Keene, N.D., under the care of Fulkerson-Stevenson Funeral Home of Watford City, N.D. Visitation was Friday, Dec. 28, 2018, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., at the funeral home and one hour before services at the church. Remembrances, condolences and pictures may be shared with the family at www.fulkersons.com.
In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in Al’s honor to the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association at www.BillyGraham.org or Billy Graham Evangelistic Association; 1 Billy Graham Parkway; Charlotte N.C.; 28201; 1-877-247-2426