Obituary: Brown, Raymond Ezra
Age 91
February 7, 1925 - March 30, 2016
“Handsome Ray” Brown (Age 91) passed away on March 30, 2016 at the incredibly caring Hospice House near his home in Spokane, WA.
He was surrounded by his loving family and close friends in the days leading up to his passing.
Ray was born in Missoula, MT to Reuben and Lenora Brown on February 7, 1925.
He spent his childhood growing up on a ranch in Cascade, MT and attended Montana University until joining the U.S. Navy.
Ray served in WWII and was stationed at the islands of Hawaii following the bombing of Pearl Harbor.
After the war, Ray moved to Spokane, WA and attended Kinman Business School, where he met the love of his life and wife of 65 years, Marie Brown.
After business school, Ray began his business ventures and eventually bought a service station on Division, which he owned and retired from after 35 years of dedication.
In his retirement years, Ray enjoyed boating, fishing, golfing, snowmobiling and traveling back and forth to Yuma, AZ with his beautiful bride.
In his later years, Ray’s zest for fun hobbies continued, as he spent hours watching and learning bird species in his beautiful backyard which flourished his love of making bird houses for his family members to enjoy.
One of Ray’s most proud moments came when he was asked to be part of the Honor Flight, and was afforded the opportunity to travel to Washington, DC.
Ray’s spirit for life, uncanny sense of humor, importance of family, and friends will be forever missed by all those that knew him.
Ray is survived by his children: Rebecca Buchanan, Daniel (Thelma) Brown, Cynthia (Harlen) Rasmussen, and Timothy Brown; grandchildren: Jason Brown, Joselyn Brown, Tuesday Stoffers, Lennie Rasmussen, Lauren Rasmussen, and Fonda Brown; great-grandchildren: Gabriel Brown, Mikaela Brown, Gia Stoffers and Felicity Nennstiel; his “children up the street” Pam and Jeff Lane; and friends ‘till the end, “Wild” Bill and “Skin” Jim.
A memorial mass will be held at Saint Thomas More Parish on April 9, 2016 at 11:00 a.m., with a reception to follow.
The family requests that donations be made in his name to Hospice House North , 102 W. Rhodes Ave, Spokane, WA 99208.
On-line condolences may be made at www.hennesseyfuneralhomes.com