11/28/1916 – 9/7/2010
Memorial Service: Saturday, September 11 at 11 AM at St. James Presbyterian Church, followed by a reception in the Fellowship Hall.
Jack Tyler Brown, beloved husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather was called home as he slept peacefully on Tuesday September 7, following a brief illness. Born in Arroyo Grande, California on the family farm November 28, 1916, Jack was the second of five children of W. Frank and Adah Black Brown. After receiving his BA from Occidental College in Pasadena he began his teaching career in Newhall, CA, where he met his bride-to-be, Dorothy McDowell.
Jack served as an officer in the United States Navy during WWII in the Pacific Theatre, mustering out with the rank of Lt. (JG). Upon returning to California he completed a Masters Degree program in school administration at UCLA and USC.
As a career educator he began as a teacher in Newhall, as teacher and principal in San Joaquin then in Hillsborough, California. He retired in 1976.
A lifelong member of the Boy Scouts of America, he served in many capacities including Scoutmaster, Committeeman and Institutional Representative on the Executive Board of the San Mateo Council of the BSA. Jack was also a faithful ordained Elder in the Presbyterian Church and was instrumental in planting the now-thriving Presbyterian Church of the Siuslaw in Florence, Oregon. Most recently he was a member of the St. James congregation in Bellingham. In retirement Jack enjoyed years of travel with his wife all across the country, gardening, a parade of precious pets and watching his beloved baseball.
He was predeceased by his parents, his brothers Reginald and William, his sister Mary Graham, and his grandson Matthew Tyler Downing. Jack is survived by his wife of 69 years, Dorothy, their daughter Nancy Pace (Robert) all of Bellingham, his sister Barbara Marley of Florence, Oregon, his grandsons Todd Downing (Raechelle) and Gavin Downing (Michelle) of Seattle and granddaughter Sara Nolan of Bellingham. He is also survived by three great-grandchildren, Tyler and Kayleigh Downing and Zadra Nolan, and numerous loved nieces and nephews.
A Celebration of Life service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, September 11 at St. James Presbyterian Church at 910 14th Street in Bellingham. A reception will follow immediately in the Fellowship Hall.
Donations in lieu of flowers may be made to the St. James Presbyterian Church in his memory.