BROWN, SAM R.

Sam Rodger Brown, 83, an American Indian on the Seminole Tribal Roll, was born Jan. 10, 1921, in Bowlegs, Okla., and went to be with the Lord on Thursday, July 1, 2004.

He was a member of the Achena Indian Presbyterian Church of Maud, Okla., and a member of Disabled American Veterans.

Graveside service will be held Tuesday at 10 a.m. at the U.S. National Cemetery in Fort Smith under the direction of Edwards Funeral Home of Fort Smith. Family will visit with friends at the funeral home from 6 to 8 p.m. today.

He served in the Marines from October 1940 through December 1946. He was a platoon sergeant in the Second Marine Raiders Battalion, serving in the Pacific area. He was the recipient of two Purple Hearts, one on Makin Island and one on Guadalcanal with a Gold Star.

The name of Sam Brown can be found in the book “Bless Em All” and a history of the Marine Corps written by Maj. Gen. Oscar Peatross, and in the book “Carlson’s Raiders” by George W. Smith.

He is survived by his wife, Bess, of the home; daughter Sonna and husband Ronnie Reynolds of Foley, Ala.; one brother, Dorsey Brown of Wichita, Kan.; one sister, Mary Haskins of Tupelo, Okla.; six nieces, six nephews and several great-nieces and -nephews; and very special friends Wayland Jolley and Jim Shepherd.

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Lung Association, 211 Natural Resources, Little Rock, AR 72205