Johnny Brown

Johnny Brown, who served as mayor of the City of Russellville from 2000-2008, in addition to serving as a councilman and as street superintendent, passed away Thursday after fighting declining health for some time, at age 75.

Ask almost anyone, and they will talk about how much the two-term mayor loved this city.

“He always tried to do what he thought was best for the city of Russellville,” said Mayor David Grissom. “People who worked with him would all agree with that.”

Brown served as superintendent of the Russellville Street Department for five years and served as councilman of District 2 for six years.

During Brown’s many years of service with city, he saw the groundwork laid for significant progress in Russellville, particularly during his time as mayor. His administration broke ground on the new city hall, for one thing, and it was during his term of service that the current Russellville fire and police chief were hired.

“He was a great mayor. He was a great person to work under,” said RFD Chief Joe Mansell, who expressed his shock at hearing of Brown’s passing. “He was somebody I highly respected. He provided great service to the citizens of Russellville over the years.”

Mansell added that he valued a personal relationship with Brown, in addition to their professional relationship – the two often went hunting and fishing together.

For many, the name Johnny Brown is synonymous with this cheery smiley face, which he used in his election campaigns.

From a professional standpoint, Mansell recalled that Brown was mayor when the fire department began construction of the new fire station. “Johnny Brown was the one that got the ball rolling, to get it started,” Mansell said. “He wanted the fire department to be the best it could be. He was willing to make that investment … Mayor Brown was an asset for us because he wanted to see the fire department keep moving forward.”

“He was a good guy to work for,” RPD Chief Chris Hargett agreed. “He was a really easygoing person … He let us do our jobs. He didn’t try to micromanage anything.” And like nearly anyone will say about Brown, “he loved the city of Russellville and looked out for what was best for the citizens.”

Longtime city clerk Kim Wright said Brown has many memories of Brown. Like most everyone, one of her memories includes the campaign images that became synonymous with the name Johnny Brown – a yellow smiley face on a brown background.

“I don’t guess I’ll ever see another one of those smiley faces without thinking of Johnny Brown,” she said. “You saw that smiley face, and that’s what you thought of when you thought of Johnny.”

Wright added, “The best way I can describe Johnny is that he was a truly good man with a truly good heart. He just wanted to help folks. Between his service as a city councilman, as street superintendent and then as mayor, there’s probably not many people who served the city of Russellville in more different capacities than Johnny Brown.”

Current Councilman Arthur Elliot was also serving as a council representative during Brown’s second term as mayor. Elliot also worked extensively with Brown during Elliot’s time on the civil service board. “Johnny was a good, wholesome guy,” Elliot said. “All he cared about was this city. He loved this city … He always cared about what was going on with the people. He was a people person.”

Tinker Malone, who served as a city councilmember with Brown, remembers him as a hands-on, proactive person.

“Sometimes as mayor, he would hear of a problem and go see people before they even contacted him. He was that kind of person,” Malone said. “He was as honest as he could be. Anyone that called or anyone he ran into, he would bring their problem or issue to the table for us to look at, and he would try to help them the best way he could.

“He wouldn’t ask you to do anything he wouldn’t do for people himself.”

Brown was mayor when the city’s Bill Fuller was hired as well.

“He was a really good person to work for and with,” Fuller said. “I’ve remained in contact with him ever since he went out of office and talked to him at least once a month.

“He wanted to make the city as good as he could make it.”

Put simply, Grissom said, “he’s definitely going to be missed.”

A mayoral proclamation from Grissom Friday honored Brown and declared that the U.S. flag be lowered to half-staff at Russellville City Hall and at all public buildings and grounds in the city Feb. 18 in Brown’s remembrance. Brown was laid to rest Saturday following the service at Friendship Missionary Baptist Church, where he served as a deacon.