Services for John Brown Humphreys, 75, of Union Church, who died Tuesday, March 27, 2007, at Rapid City Regional Hospital, in Rapid City, S.D., will be 2 p.m. Wednesday at Bethesda Baptist Church with the Rev. Paul Southerland officiating.

Burial will follow at Dillon Cemetery, in Lorman, under the direction of Wright-Ferguson Funeral Home, Ridgeland.

Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. today at the funeral home.

Mr. Humphreys was born May 7, 1931, in Jefferson County, the son of J. Farrell and Kate Ross Humphreys. After completing his education from Union Church, he had a brief tour with the U.S. Air Force. Mr. Brown pursued a career in the construction trades, where his drive, determination and pursuit of excellence lead to rapid advancement and more opportunities. In 1973, Mr. Brown was a founding partner of Key Contractors, Inc., based in Jackson. He continued to build bridges, roads, levees and emergency flood controls, which are still in use years after their completion.

On Dec. 21, 1952, Mr. Brown married Elizabeth Varnado. In 2006, they celebrated their 54th Anniversary. In his retirement, he enjoyed his cattle operation. After selling the operation, Mr. Brown and Beth split their time between Mississippi and Rapid City, S. D., to be near their grandchildren.

He was a member of Bethesda Baptist Church and the Mississippi Road Builders Association.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and several siblings.

Survivors include his wife, Elizabeth “Beth” Humphreys of Union Church; his son, J. Mark Humphreys and wife, Marsha, and their children, J. Andrew, Leah and Brian Humphreys, all of Rapid City; and many extended family and friends.