Larry Milton Brown

Larry Milton Brown died peacefully in his sleep on January 17, 2024 at his home in Bellingham.

He was born on May 16, 1936 to Howard and Grace (Barnett) Brown of Nooksack at the original St. Luke’s Hospital in Bellingham. Larry attended Lowell Elementary School and Fairhaven Middle School, eventually graduating from Bellingham High School in 1955. After graduation, he married Lorene May Haug of Bellingham.

Dad was known for his work ethic by local farmers during haying season. He was valued as a hard worker and earned his nickname “Logger Brown” by bugging the loggers on Chuckanut Mountain for a job.
He was a logger in Alaska for a while, then returned to Bellingham, where he was hired by LTI, a local trucking company. When Dad retired from LTI, he was one of their oldest living drivers. He enjoyed visiting the Deming Log Show each year with his son, Mike.

After retirement, Dad returned to his love of motorcycles. He enjoyed riding with his family, the local HOG Chapter, and anyone else who loved two-wheeled adventures. He made many friends in the motorcycle community and logged many rides, earning the nickname “Biker Brown.” He even rode to Yellowstone while his leg was in a cast. He also enjoyed taking his rebuilt 1929 Model A Roadster to local car shows. On one particular trip, he made it across Highway 20 to a show in Winthrop with Lee Burgess.

As an avid hobbyist, Dad was an HO Scale model train enthusiast with various tracks in several rooms in his house. He shared his love of trains with his great-grandsons, Colton and Lucas.

He was also fond of honeybees. He loved to teach people about beekeeping, and even displayed frames of bees to observers. Dad would bring his bees to Lowell Elementary to share with his grandkids’ classmates. In addition to bringing his bees to school, he also taught woodworking with teacher Alex Breda.

After seeing videos of skydiving at both Snohomish and Chelan, Dad talked about going skydiving in the spring just two days before he died. He learned to swim as an adult and even went on to learn how to scuba dive with Jeremy Jones at Washington Divers.

He had served eight years in the U.S. Army National Guard and was a member of the American Legion. He also belonged to the Old Time Fiddlers Association. He enjoyed telling stories and teasing the ladies with a twinkle in his eye! He was tenacious in what he believed in.

Larry was preceded in death by his wife, Lorene Brown, parents, Howard and Grace Brown, and brother, Joel Brown.

He is survived by his children, Mike Brown, Melissa Bradshaw, and Monty Brown of Bellingham, grandchildren, Darius (Erin) Bradshaw, Karly (Will) Young, and Nicole Brown of the U.S. Coast Guard, great-grandchildren, Timmy Bradshaw, Mathis and Wren Becker, and Lucas and Colton Young, brother, Dale Brown of Lynden, sister Mary Ellen (Ray) Thomas of Boise, ID, sister-in-law Eula Daily, and numerous nieces and nephews.

A special thanks to Eden Home Health and Eden Hospice who were dedicated in allowing Larry to stay independent in his home until his death. Also, a special thanks to his home team, Laura Visnaw and fiancé Brett, Karly Young, Sheili Sellers, Wendy Isackson, and Diane Harden, who made it possible for him to remain in his home!

During his final week, Dad saw and heard from so many friends and family. He felt the love and his heart was full.

Rest in peace, Dad! See you in Heaven.

SERVICE UPDATE:
A celebration of life will be held on Thursday, April 25th at 1:00pm at The Loft at Cornwall Church, 4518 Northwest Dr. Bellingham, WA.