David “Dave” J. Brownlee 1941-2012

BROWNLEE LEFLER

Posted By: Connie Swearingen-Volunteer (email)
Date: 7/26/2012 at 11:42:52

Sioux City Journal
June 25, 2012

David “Dave” J. Brownlee, 71, of Sioux City passed away on Saturday, June 23, 2012, at a Sioux City Hospital from a brief illness and untimely death.

Visitation with the family will be 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday at Meyer Brothers Colonial Chapel, followed by a memorial service starting at 7 p.m., officiated by the Rev. Merlin Schrad. Burial of his cremains will be at a later date. Online condolences may be sent to www.mayerbroschapels.com.

Dave was born on March 16, 1941, to Blaine and Vertress Brownlee in Sioux City. He graduated from East High School in 1959 and attended Morningside College. He served his country in the Army National Guard.

He was united in marriage to Jody Lefler. To this union, two children were welcomed, a son, Russell, and a daughter, Melissa. He was later married to Judy Ward on Dec. 29, 2009, in Elk Point, S.D. He worked at Sioux City Dressed Beef before accepting a management training position with JC Penny Co. in Freeport, Ill., in 1967.

He returned to Sioux City in mid-1968 and worked in sales at Raymond and Morey's Men's Clothing Store. He later joined Homeland Realty as a salesman in 1970. In 1984, he began a career in the tire business and became known as Smiling Dave Brownlee the tireman ever since. He was presently working for Tires Tires Tires here in Sioux City.

Dave loved life itself, people and humor. He was always smiling and loved to hear and tell a good joke, his laugh was contagious. He enjoyed all sports and had a real passion for playing golf.

He is survived by his wife, Judy Ward of Sioux City; son, Russell and wife, Jodeane Newcomb Brownlee, and children, Conner and Cade of Omaha, Neb.; daughter, Melissa Van Vossen and husband, Mark, and children, Isabel and Reid, of Kansas City, Kan.; stepchildren, Timothy C. Ward of Dakota Dunes and children, Allison and Jackson; Patrick W. Ward of Albuquerque, N.M., and children, Erin and Sara; Scott and Leah Ward of Dakota Dunes and children, Harrison and Lila; Sara Ward Keese and James Keese of Alexandria, Va., and children, Katie, Caroline and William; and Jennifer Ward Rich and Sean Rich of San Francisco, Calif., and children, Grace, Ryan and Harper; and a brother, James Brownlee of Sioux City.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Blaine and Vertress Brownlee; and sister, Peggy Brownlee, at age 1 1/2 years.