"Jr" Ehme Brass, Jr.

“Jr” Ehme Brass Jr., 77, passed away on May 19, 2023, after a long and courageous battle with lung cancer.

Jr. was born to Ehme and Fanny (Bergner) Brass on May 18, 1946 in Sioux Falls, SD. Jr. grew up was raised on the family farm between Tea and Lennox. He graduated from Lennox High School in 1964 and entered the Air Force on December 28, 1964. After serving 3 years in the Air Force and the Vietnam War, Jr. served 2 years in the Air Guard and an additional year in the Army Guard and was Honorably discharged on December 27, 1970. Jr. was part of a group called the PACK RATS while serving in the Vietnam War. The PACK RATS were an elite few men, who in many aspects, were unrecognized by the Air Force for their service until recently. Jr. was Commander of the Tea American Legion Post 266 for a term and always a proud supporter of all Veterans. He was also an active member of his local Legion in Georgia.

Jr. was united in marriage to Carol Gail Oleson on April 13, 1969. Jr. owned a body/mechanical shop for a few years before he started driving truck over the road in 1976. In 1982 Jr. stopped driving truck and relied again on the one thing he loved, fixing things. Jr. began working summers with Pioneer Seed which eventually developed into a full time job that he retired from. In 2006 Jr. moved to Culloden, GA where he made a home with his 2 nd love Kay Sopko. Jr. remained in Georgia until last year when he moved to West Columbia, SC to embark on a journey with his 3 rd love, Sue McGowan. Jr. loved working with and collecting John Deere tractors of all sizes, and also had a passion for electric trains and constructing the perfect scene for his trains to travel through.

Jr. is survived by his children, Rachelle Fowler (Terry Luke), Jeromy (Lisa) Brass, and Shelley Brass (Cody Dolge). Grandchildren Zachary Pickens (Hillary Copiskey), Zane Pickens, Addison Fowler, Jesse Questad, Brittany Buttorf, Savannah Moore, Bailey Moore, Levinn Brobjorg, Layth Dolge, and Laeken Dolge. Great grandchildren, Owen, Willow and Jackson Pickens. Also, many nieces and nephews. “Step-children” Jeramie (Jessica) Sopko, Josh (Brittany) Sopko, Lisa Rust, Steve Rust, and Ryan (Mandy) Rust and a whole host of bonus grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces and nephews. A special thank you to Rachel for helping care for our dad these past few months.

Jr. is preceded in death by his parents, Ehme and Fanny Brass; wife, Carol Brass; daughter, Abbey Holwell, brothers; Eugene (Beverly) Cockrell and Harven (Irene) Brass; sisters, Caroline (Harold) Abbas and Annie Brass, and second love Kay Sopko.

A Celebration of Life will be held at the Tea Legion, Tea, SD from 1pm - 4pm, with a prayer service at 3pm, on July 1, 2023. Interment will be private.

Online register at barr-price.com

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