Jimmie Ray Brewer

Jim was born July 14, 1948, in Batesville, Arkansas, to Alfred and Mae (Brown) Brewer, the oldest of four children. They lived and farmed with mules and horses in Mountain View, AR. When he was 14, they moved to Monette, AR, where they farmed and worked the cotton fields. His life was surrounded by many aunts, uncles, cousins who were his best friends, and his Grandma and Grandpa Brown, who he shared his birthday with. His love and skill with horses came from his grandpa and dad. He graduated from Monette HS in 1965, and joined the Air Force in May of 1966.

Jim’s 20-year Air Force career took him from basic training at Lackland AFB in San Antonio, TX, to computer maintenance school at Keesler AFB in Biloxi, MS, and then to Adair Air Station in Corvallis, OR. There he met and fell in love with his First Sergeant’s daughter, Marsha Boyers. They were married on June 22, 1968. In 1969, they went to Wasserkuppe AS in Germany, a small radar site 4 km from the East German border. Their daughter, Maria K, was born on August 1, 1970, while they were stationed there.

In 1972, Jim and Marsha returned to Keesler. Their son, Stacey Ray was born on December 1, 1972. In 1973, Jim received orders for Belgium to the NATO Programming Center. The NPC was a unique assignment working with the different NATO members, and only 20 Americans. They lived on the economy and became a part of the community. They learned Flemish, and were part of the town’s booster club for their semi-pro basketball team. When they returned to visit for their 40th anniversary in 2008, the mayor came to welcome them back. In the 5 years they were in Belgium, many life-long friends were made from several nationalities.

Returning stateside in 1978, Jim was assigned to NORAD at the Cheyenne Mountain Complex in Colorado Springs, where among other jobs, he helped track Santa each year. They lived on the Air Force Academy for the next 7 years. He later transferred to NORAD HQ, where he worked DOD contract negotiations, such as the Star Wars Program. During that time, he volunteered with Acts 22, a therapeutic equine program, sponsored by the top three NCO ranks. He and Marsha also took up square dancing. Their club danced at county and state fairs, expositions, and even on the Royal Gorge Bridge. In 1979, they bought land east of Colorado Springs in Yoder, and began building their retirement home with the help of many square dance friends. They moved into their house on the prairie in 1985. Jim retired from the AF in 1986, and went to work for the MITRE Corp. for the next 15 years.

In 1987, MJB QuarterHorses was started with a mare that Jim’s dad gave them. It was a 20-year business of breeding, raising and starting Foundation Quarter Horses. Jim and Stacey also started horses for other people using natural horsemanship. Marsha says Jim was a “horse whisperer” long before the movie came out. His biggest compliment came when an old time rough stock cowboy asked Jim to start a 2-year old for him. The biggest reward was seeing troubled kids turned around through working with them with horses. During this time, Jim served on the National Equine Council.

Over the years, Jim served on many local, county and state boards representing rural and agriculture interests. He helped form the Tri-County Fire Protection District, and was a charter board member, and was Chair of El Paso County Farm Bureau for ten years. The El Paso County Conservation District and Weed Board, the Rural Colorado Conservation & Development Board, and the Miami-Yoder School Board are a few of the many boards and committees he sat on. He was the computer guru for many, and developed cattle programs for several local ranchers.

Jim’s growing up years, his Air Force career and MITRE years, their MJB QuarterHorse business, and his retirement years were filled with many blessings and wonderful memories with family and friends. There were also some difficult times in those years; the last years in particular. Jim never lost faith, though, no matter the circumstances. He knew and trusted that no matter where he was, or what he was going through, God was always with him. He was a mentor and role model for many.

Jim is survived by Marsha, his wife of 58 years; son, Stacey Brewer (Corinna); bonus grandson Brandon Gebel (Amanda); mother Mae Brewer; sisters, Carolyn Blocker and Joyce Ann Brewer; brother, JL Brewer (Darlene), sisters-in-law Gayle Kitch and Bonnie Kerlee (Steve); and numerous nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his father, Alfred Brewer; brothers-in-law, Kenneth Blocker and Robert Kitch.