Jerry Lee “Ham” Brown, Longtime AQHA and NCHA Member, Remembered

Jerry Lee “Ham” Brown passed from this life to his heavenly home on January 3, 2025.

A member of a pioneer Osceola County family, Ham was born to Hamilton Disston Brown and Mabel Lanier Brown on July 13, 1936. He attended & played football for Osceola High School and was a lifelong resident of Kissimmee, Florida. Ham was a true Southern gentleman, always having a kind word and his own unique way of making everyone he knew feel special.

As a child, he naturally took to anything that involved cattle & horses and in his teenage years began day working on various ranches throughout Florida. In 1961 he was blessed by inheriting a portion of property from his grandfather, Horace Eppes Brown, and would live and tend cattle on this land for the remainder of his life. Although he later acquired ranches in Arkansas and Texas – Kissimmee was always home. He was proud of his heritage and considered himself privileged to be a 3rd generation cattleman in Osceola County. He was a member of the Florida Cattleman’s Association, Texas Cattleman’s Association, and previously served on the Florida Farm Bureau & USDA’s ASCS boards.

Ham had a lifelong involvement with the Silver Spurs Rodeo dating back to the early 1950’s when he began riding bulls and would then later include quadrille and steer wrestling. He also faithfully released the chute gate for all timed events from 1962-2008. Over the years he was recognized as the Silver Spurs’ “Straw Boss”, “Little Boss”, “Big Boss” and in 2000, the Lifetime Achievement Award of “Coca-Cola Cowboy”. He was an active supporter of the 4-H program through the Kissimmee Valley Livestock Show (KVLS) as well as a supporter & sponsor of Pro Rodeo (PRCA) and Pro Bull Riding (PBR).

Additionally in the 1950’s, he developed a love for the sport of cutting horses, and in 1981 began competing professionally, alongside his beloved wife, Jackie. He went on to compete in the NCHA World Championship Futurity in Fort Worth, Texas – training & showing a different horse each year for 25 consecutive years. He was a member of the American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA) and the National Cutting Horse Association (NCHA), for which he served as director for 10 years.

Above all, Ham was a man of unwavering faith. Having accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as his personal savior at an early age, he did his best to live a life that was pleasing to “The Ole Master” (as he’d refer). He was a generous supporter of various local ministries as well as worldwide missions. He had a very generous heart, recognizing that God had blessed him above measure and in turn he used his blessings to help others.

Ham was preceded in death by his parents Hamilton & Mabel, his brother & sister Buster Dean & Bobbie Jean (twins), and his beloved wife, Jackie. Although Ham did not have children of his own, he was a father figure and mentor to many and was affectionately referred to as “Pa Ham” and “Uncle Ham” by countless others. He leaves behind a host of friends across many states to which he gave the best possible example of how to live a respectable life and one that will be remembered well.

Farewell to a beautiful soul who left this world infinitely better.

The family of Jerry Lee “Ham” Brown received friends on Saturday, January 11, 2025 from 10:00 A.M. to 12:00 Noon at Eastern Avenue Baptist Church, 1001 Eastern Avenue, St. Cloud, Florida 34769. A Service to Celebrate and Honor the Life of Jerry Lee “Ham” Brown was held at 12:00 Noon following the visitation at Eastern Avenue Baptist Church with Pastor Jim Callen and Reverend Jimmy Franks officiating. Following the service, he was laid to rest in Pleasant Hill Cemetery in Kissimmee, Florida, 3855 Pleasant Hill Rd, Kissimmee, Florida 34746.

The Family of Jerry Lee “Ham” Brown is being cared for by: CONRAD AND THOMPSON FUNERAL HOME, 511 Emmett Street, Kissimmee, Florida 34741; 407-847-3188.