K.O. Brown of Bessemer, and a former longtime Marenisco resident, a man of many talents and towering physical strength, died at Gogebic Medical Care Facility in Wakefield on Thursday, Sept. 10, 2009, at the age of 91.      He was born in Ironwood and lived his entire life in Gogebic County, except for four years of military service. As a young man he was an Upper Peninsula Golden Gloves boxer with a growing reputation as unbeatable.      During the first part of his military service he was stationed in England as a soldier and prize fighter. Much to the joy of the soldiers he defeated the heavyweight champion of Wales. Soon after D-Day he was captured by the Germans and became a prisoner of war for the war's duration. With his spirit of adventure and resourcefulness he viewed the experience as one to learn from rather than as a period of terror and deprivation. He had grown up speaking several European languages and because of his natural gift for language retained this ability throughout his life. This would become an invaluable skill for him and the other prisoners because he became their translator and could work for their safety. It allowed him to travel extensively and to be accepted as a native speaker in much of Europe.      For many years he built houses and fine cabinetry, worked as a Kimberly-Clark mill foreman, flew airplanes, read voraciously and was always a man in a hurry, earning the nickname "high speed". He was a life member of Marenisco American Legion Post 523.      With his wife Roslyn, he operated K.O. & Rose's Bar in Marenisco for over fifty years. She preceded him in death on April 16, 2003. He was also preceded in death by his sister-in-law and brother-in-law Don and G.G. Johnson and by other family members.      He is survived by his daughter and son-in-law Karen and Scott Brown of St. Paul, Minn. and his sister, Mary Marczak of Ironwood.      K.O. was truly a member of that "Greatest Generation" of men who looked at the world clearly, saw his duty, and responded honorably to the call of his nation, his state and his community.      Of all the roles he played in life the most special was his role as father, his enduring legacy.      His family expresses deep appreciation to the dedicated, caring, and loving staff of Gogebic Medical Care Facility who provided a home for him during the last 71/2 years. They are truly the finest people who work selflessly for others.      Out of respect for K.O.'s wishes, cremation has taken place.      Graveside committal services will be held Monday, Sept. 21, at 11 a.m., in the Marenisco Cemetery, with the Rev. Allan J. Mayotte presiding.       Full military honors will be accorded by the Marenisco American Legion Post 523 Honor Guard.      Interment will follow.      If desired, memorial contributions can be made to the American Red Cross, an organization K.O. felt sustained his life and the lives of other American prisoners during World War II. They currently work for our service people in Iraq and Afghanistan. The address is American Red Cross, P.O. Box 97089, Washington, D.C. 20090.      To view K.O.'s obituary online and express condolences, visit mckevittpatrickfuneralhome.com.      Arrangements are entrusted to McKevitt-Patrick Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Ironwood