Barbara Jean (Compton) Brown

Barbara Jean (Compton) Brown, 87, of Eugene, Oregon, formerly of West Lafayette and Lake Placid, Florida, passed away Saturday, March 9, 2013, in her home.

Born June 3, 1925 in Lafayette, she was the daughter of the late Leroy E. and Maude Compton. Barbara was a 1943 graduate of West Lafayette High School and attended Purdue University. While attending Purdue, Barbara enlisted as a WAVE in the Navy. She was stationed stateside in Pensacola, Fla., a Specialist Link Trainer Instructor. One of Barbara's favorite stories is the day she had the opportunity to train famous actor Tyrone Power. During her service, she received the World War II Victory Medal and the American Campaign Ribbon.

Survivors include her daughter, Cheri Smith of Eugene, Oregon; son, Jeffry C. (wife, Billie) Bailey of Indianapolis; stepson, Richard W. Brown of Florence, Alabama. Surviving are 10 grandchildren: Brett, Scott, Heidi, Kimberly, Janelle, Gareth, Samantha, Denise, Patty and Andi. She is also survived by her sister, Phyllis Geiger of West Lafayette, and brother James Compton of Oak Park, Ill. Brother, J. Leroy Compton preceded Barbara in death.

In 1958, Barbara moved to Viçosa, Brazil to work with professors from Purdue. She returned to West Lafayette in 1961. In 1962 she married Marlin L. "Bud" Brown, in Lafayette. A brief time was spent living in Michigan, then the Brown's moved back to West Lafayette, where Bud worked for State Farm Insurance Co as a claims adjuster and Barbara worked again at Purdue as a secretary. They bought their first home in 1968, a turn-of-the-century homestead located on the Wabash River in West Lafayette. They put lots of time, love and money into the big ol' house on North River Road, until they decided to buy a home closer into town. A few years were spent at this home, but Bud's love of the country sent the family back to a 5-acre plot just outside of town, where they built their dream home. Bud and Barb decided to retire early and head to Lake Placid, Florida. After settling into a nice home there, they decided once again to build a dream home, this time on a lovely canal leading to Lake June in Winter in Lake Placid. Nearly 23 years were spent in Lake Placid, Fla., until Bud's passing in December 2002.

In April of 2003, Cheri moved Barbara to Eugene, Oregon. She lived four years at the Eugene Hotel (retirement community), followed by nearly four years at Fox Hollow Residential.

A Celebration of Life potluck will be held Saturday, June 29, 2013, at Happy Hollow Park, Shelter 1 from 11-4 in West Lafayette.

Memorial donations may be made to any dementia, breast cancer, and/or Parkinson's disease research.

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