George M. Brown's Obituary
George Melvine Brown Sr.
August 6, 1926 – March 26, 2013
George Brown of Tacoma, Washington passed away at home on March 26, 2013. He was born at St. Joseph’s Hospital on August 6, 1926, graduate of Stadium High School’s class of ’44, and served in the Pacific during WWII. Upon his return from the war he married his high school sweetheart, Barbara Hager, in 1947 in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. George worked in the printing business as a bindery foreman for over thirty years, working at Johnson & Cox and Print Northwest. He was an artisan at his trade, able to bind and repair books, which were often family heirlooms, and run very complex machines capable of producing brochures, booklets, and manuals for budding software companies. While at Print Northwest he recalled doing the first operating manual for two young guys, Bill and Paul, who seemed to have a bright future no matter how the Microsoft thing turned out. In the 1960’s George was a little league baseball coach for the Cheney Studs and is remembered respectfully by his players, who in their sixties still called him Mr. Brown. George was a member of Tacoma Elks Lodge #174 for more than fifty years. During his time as an Elk he served twice as the Director of the Antlers Astray RV club.
He had a passion for boating and spent many hours on Puget Sound cruising, fishing, or water skiing. His ability to take an “old tub” and transform it into a beautifully polished and shining cruiser or runabout was unmatched. His bilges were as ship-shape as the main decks. He was an active member of the Tacoma Outboard Association, participating in the regattas and the yearly race around Vashon Island in the 1960’s. Later he became a member of the Day Island Yacht Club, where he housed his boats for over twenty years.
George was the family man’s family man. His greatest joy was being with his family and watching it grow over the years; proud of accomplishments and supportive through trials and temporary hitches. We never doubted his love, knowing that he was in our corner cheering us on. He was also a good friend to many and could always be counted on for genuine concern and interest along with lively conversation; he had a way of making people feel special.
He is survived by the love of his life, Barbara, wife of 66 years, his three children; Janis (Charles) Kern, Kathy Taylor, and George (Deborah) Brown Jr., nine grandchildren Jeffery, Jason, Sam, Dustin, Dan, Tessa, Chuck, Scott, and Jeff and four great-grandchildren Riley, Kaiya, Milo, and Luna. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, April 2, 2013 at 1:00 PM, Mountain View Funeral Home in the Life Celebration Building, Aspen Chapel.
Arrangements by Mountain View Funeral Home.
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