Obituary: Brown, Ronald Elvin
Age 73
BROWN,
Ronald Elvin
(Age 73)
Lifelong Whitman County resident, passed away at his home on Friday, April 29, 2016.
Funeral services will be held on Thursday, May 5, 2016 at 10:00 a.m. at the Oakesdale Presbyterian Church.
Vault interment will follow at the Oakesdale Cemetery.
Viewing will be at Bruning Funeral Home in Colfax on Wednesday, May 4 from 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. and one hour prior to services at the church.
Ron entered this world on June 2, 1942 in Steptoe, Washington, the second of six children born to Elvin and Wanda Lee (Brooks) Brown.
He was raised in Oakesdale and graduated high school there in 1960.
After high school, he met, and instantly fell in love with, a young lady named Carol Doerschlag.
They married on September 20, 1968 in Spokane Valley, Washington.
After their marriage, Ron and Carol lived in Pullman briefly before Ron accepted a job with the McGregor Company in Colfax.
When his father’s health declined, the family moved to Oakesdale where Ron took over the farming operation from his dad.
The family tradition continues to this day, as Ron’s son Phil has worked side by side with his dad for over 20 years and will continue well into the future.
Ron served as a Fire Commissioner for the Oakesdale Fire Department from 1979 to 1990.
Ron enjoyed hunting in the Blue Mountains, horseback riding and camping with friends.
He was an avid Gonzaga sports fan and never met someone he couldn’t carry on a conversation with.
His sons stated that dad could go anywhere and strike up a conversation with many people - English speaking or not.
Ron and Carol were snowbirds, traveling south to Yuma, Arizona during the winters for the last 15 years.
When asked to describe Ron, some words that came to mind from his family included “our rock”, “heck of a dad”, “great teacher”, “loving”, “patient” and “he took great care of mom.”
He loved his family - especially his grandkids - and supported each of them in all of their endeavors.
He will be truly missed by all who knew him.
Ron is survived by his wife, Carol, at their home in Oakesdale; sons Bob Brown of Athol, Idaho; Phil (Karla) Brown of Oakesdale; Mike (Michelle) Brown of Oakesdale; and Don (Angel) Brown of Spokane; brothers Larry (Cheryle) Brown, Dick Brown and Michael “Big Mike” (Laurie) Brown, all of Oakesdale; as well as seven grandchildren and three great-grandsons.
Memorial contributions in Ron’s honor are suggested to the Oakesdale Fire Department or to Cancer Care Northwest.
BRUNING FUNERAL HOME of Colfax has been entrusted with funeral arrangements.
Online condolences may be left for the family at www.bruningfuneralhome.com