James Ralph Brown, 91, of Dowagiac, passed away on Saturday, March 8, 2025, at The Timbers of Cass County in Dowagiac, MI. He was born on March 9, 1933, in Tate County, Mississippi, the son of the late Alton H. and Sarah Virginia (West) Brown. On May 31, 1952, he was united in marriage to Betty Jo Blair. Surviving are three children – Stanley (Janice) Brown; Melissa (Gary) Montgomery and Angela (Ray) DeVries; son-in-law – Bill Salmons; ten grandchildren – Shanna (Rich Graff) Higgs, Jennifer (Jason Cooley) Williams, Anthony (April) Higgs, Blair Higgs, Clinton (Jami) Brown, April (Elli) Peterson, Michelle (Brandon) Hover, Stephanie (Dwight) Sheltrown, Kevin (Hannah) Montgomery, Brian (Erika) Montgomery; twenty great-grandchildren; sister - Sandra (Milburn) Moore; and several nieces, nephews and extended family. Preceding him in death were his wife of 45 years – Betty Jo Brown; daughter – Deborrah Salmons; and three siblings – Perry Brown, Frances Brown and Lucille Wilson. Friends may visit with the family from 5:00pm-8:00pm on Saturday March 15, at Clark Chapel – Starks Family Funeral Homes, 405 Center St, Dowagiac. Funeral and interment will be at Forest Hill Funeral Home and Memorial Park East, Memphis, TN. Please visit James' personalized webpage to share a memory or leave a condolence to his family at www.clarkch.com.