Orville Brown

07/06/1920 – 09/05/2012
Orville Brown, age 92, passed away peacefully on Thursday, September 5, 2012. He was  born July 6, 1920 in Marysville, CA. As a WWII veteran for the US Army Air Corps, Orville served in India, Tinian, North Africa, Italy, and China where he was the crew chief on the B-29’s. Orville received his Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree from Illinois State University. He taught Industrial Arts in Pontiac, Warren, and Rockford, IL. In Washington he taught at Kent Junior High School. Orville was an exceptional teacher and he won many awards for his innovative approaches to teaching. Orville was very involved with the Boy Scouts and earned his Eagle Scout rank through Gold Palm. He was a scout leader in the Northern California Sierras and he took a scout troop in Illinois to Japan. As a master wood carver he carved carousel horses among other sculptures. Orville was a devout Christian. He was active as a Deacon and Elder in his churches, and was also a choir member, Stevens Minister, and was involved with clown ministry for children’s programs. He carved over 1000 small wooden crosses that he gave to people in coffee shops or others he met who seemed to need the love of Jesus. Orville was preceded in death by his son Orville Jerome “Jed” Brown. He is survived by his loving wife of 68 years, Ruth Ellen, daughter Sherrie Brown Alwood, son-in-law Darrell Alwood, grandson Shane Martin, granddaughter Zoe Kapan, great-grandson Cameron Kapan; nephews Mark Brown in Reno, and Paul Brown in Eugene; niece Donna Brown in Las Vegas, and many loving relatives and friends. A graveside service with Military Honors will be held at Woodlawn Cemetery on Friday, September 14th at 2:30 PM.