Lester James Brown, 77, of Cape Girardeau died Saturday, Feb. 5., 2000, at St. Francis Medical Center.

He was born July 8, 1922, at Cape Girardeau, son of Clarence and Bessie Weatherford Brown. He and Viola Minor were married Dec. 28, 1943, at Cape Girardeau.

Brown worked for 30 years as a heavy equipment operator at Marquette Cement Co., retiring in 1984. He served as a Cape Girardeau police officer and an auxiliary deputy with the Cape Girardeau County Sheriff's Department. Brown was also a past member of the Elks Lodge in Cape Girardeau.

Survivors include his wife; two sons, Robert James Brown of Jackson and Stephen G. Brown of De Soto; a sister, Marcella Hoeller of Cape Girardeau; four grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by a sister.

Friends may call at Ford & Sons Mt. Auburn Chapel from 4-8 p.m. today.

Funeral will be at 1:30 p.m. Monday at the funeral home. The Rev. Jeffrey Sippy will officiate, with burial in Memorial Park.