Ray A. Browning

Ray A. Browning, 89, Topeka passed away August 27, 2009. Ray was born May 19, 1920 in Mound City MO. Ray entered into the US Army, January 1942 and was honorably discharged December 1945. During his time in the service he was a Pilot with the rank of Major in the Army Air Corps, Assistant Director of the first and only Helicopter Unit the Air Corps had, helicopters were brand new. Ray began flying helicopters in 1944. He had just returned from an assignment as a Test Pilot at the Sikorsky Helicopter Factory. This assignment lasted longer than originally planned; he was the only test pilot there for the Army. He came to Topeka in 1952 to become General Manager of Capital Concrete Products Company. He later bought the company. Ray was one of the first Americans allowed into China and was invited there by the Chinese to provide expertise in concrete block manufacturing. He was president and founder of the Kansas Concrete Masonry Association and was president of the National Concrete Masonry Association. Ray was a member of the board for 35 years and president for 10 years of the Capper Foundation. He was on the Executive committee of the Villages; he was a member of Topeka Board of Education and sat on the Board of trustees for YMCA. He was on the budget Committee Community Chest and on the Industrial Development Commission for the Topeka Chamber of Commerce. Ray was on the Public Affairs Committee for the Kansas Association of Industry and Director of Topeka Chamber of Commerce. He was a member of the Shawnee County Mental Health Association and a member of Tarkio College Alumni Association. He was also on the Board and President of Family Service and Guidance Center. Ray was a member of the Topeka Flood and Conservation Association, Downtown Rotary Club, the YMCA, the Potwin PTA, Civic Investment Inc. and Topeka Material Men’s Association. He was also an Elder and Chairman of the Board of Trustees for First Presbyterian Church. Ray is survived by his daughter, Susan Christensen, Topeka; his son, Jim and his wife Jeannie, Dover; grandchildren, Peter and his wife, Gretchen Browning, Salina, Michael and his wife Sarah Browning, Topeka, Sarah Browning, Rochester MN, Annie Browning, Sam Browning, Abigail Browning, Molly Browning, all of Dover, Emily and her husband, Dennis Struve, Derby, Brett and his wife Lexie Christensen, Topeka; eight great- grandchildren; and sister, Nancy Kyle, Tarkio MO. He was preceded in death by his wife, Marilyn Browning. Family will greet friends Sunday, August 30, 2009 from 5 to 7 p.m. at Kevin Brennan Family Funeral Home, 2801 SW Urish Rd, Topeka KS 66614. Memorial service will be 11 a.m. Monday, August 31, 2009 at First Presbyterian Church, 817 SW Harrison Topeka KS. In lieu of flowers, family suggests memorial contributions to Presbyterian Manor sent in care of the funeral home.

Ray A. Browning

May 19, 1920 - August 30, 2009