Carl Hap J Brown

Funeral services for Carl J. "Hap" Brown Sr. will be held at 2:00 p.m., Monday, August 1, 2011 at Gillette Memorial Chapel with his brother Ronald Brown and Pastor Bob Rudichar officiating. Burial will follow in Mt. Pisgah Cemetery. Visitation will be held 1 hour prior to the service at Gillette Memorial Chapel. Hap Brown, age 74, of Rozet, Wyoming died on Sunday, July 24, 2011 at Campbell County Memorial Hospital of natural causes. Carl Judson Brown Sr. (Happy) or Hap as we all knew him, was born to Leonard and Lillian (Howard) Brown on November 21, 1936 in Mitchell, South Dakota. Hap married the love of his life, Beverly Ann Goins on August 10, 1955 in Mount Vernon, South Dakota. Hap and Beverly settled in Kadoka, South Dakota and had three children: William L. Brown, Carla Ann Morris and Carl J. Brown Jr. He ran his wreckers and also worked for his father-in-law, William Goins until July 1972, when they moved to Gillette, Wyoming. Hap owned and operated Haps Towing until he fell ill in 2004, and had to retire and moved into Pioneer Manor Nursing Home. Hap loved and laughed big. His constant laughter and twinkle in his big blue eyes was the prompting to his grandfather giving his nickname "Happy" to him. Hap loved his family and his hobbies for many years. He enjoyed pheasant hunting with his friends from Mt. Vernon, South Dakota. And elk hunting in the Big Horn Mountains in Wyoming. We all knew the "Bull" was endangered when Hap was hunting. None of us can overlook Hap's most favorite hobby, race cars. He raced in Gillette, Rapid City, Casper and Sheridan. Hap was track Champion in Gillette many times and Wyoming State Champion in 1979. His racing career was long and colorful, he seen the checkered flag many times and the black flag maybe just once, no way! Much to Hap's delight his family joined in on the fun both of his son's and daughter and daughter-in-law, 2 grandson's and even a granddaughter have raced with Hap. He also enjoyed many other sports such as, roller skating, basketball, baseball, bowling and playing volleyball at the Pioneer Manor, known as the "slammer". Hap is survived by his wife, Beverly Ann Brown of Rozet, Wyoming; son, Carl (Polly) Brown Jr. of Kadoka, South Dakota; sister, Mary Becker of Huron, South Dakota; brother, Ron Brown of Springfield, Missouri; sister-in-law, Maxine Brown of Albert Lee, Minnesota; 9 grandchildren; over 30 great-grandchildren and a host of friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, brother, William Brown; son, William L. "Bill" Brown; daughter, Carla Ann Morris; son-in-law, Steven D. Morris; grandson, William L. Brown Jr.; and great grandson, Christopher LaCasse. Memorials and condolences may be sent in Hap's name in care of Gillette Memorial Chapel, 210 W. 5th Street, Gillette, Wyoming 82716 or condolences via the internet at www.gillettememorialchapel.com.Funeral Home:Gillette Memorial Chapel210 West Fifth Street Gillette, WYUS 82716