Donald F. Brown

Donald F. Brown, age 94, passed away at Brookdale Senior Living Community, Richland, Washington, Saturday, August 17th, 2019. He passed peacefully from natural causes with family at his side. Don was born on August 27th 1924 and was the son of Fredrick and Gertrude Brown.

Don attended school in Wapato, Washington. He completed his education, graduating from Wapato Senior High School. Following High School, he enlisted in the United States Navy and was assigned to the Submarine Service in support of the World War II effort. After completing his military service, he co-owned and operated Brown and Son’s Bar #213 with his father Fredrick and brother Frasier.

He accepted a county job position for Yakima County Highway District at Wapato, WA. branch. While there, he also continued operating his business “Don Brown’s Archery Shop”. After years of working in Wapato he retired and moved to the Ahtanum area of Yakima, WA.

He enjoyed his continuing passion of building furniture, jewelry making and tending to his Arabian horse “Ebin”.

In 1947 Don married Clara E. Aasen, at the Lutheran Church in Wapato, WA. They celebrated sixty-three years of marriage, July 27th, 2010.

Survivors include his son Fred L. Brown and wife RaeAnn of Yakima, WA.; daughter Trudy M. Gilman of Prosser, WA.; daughter Debbie (Rick) Burk of Kennewick, WA.; and Don’s sister Billie Lee of Seattle, WA.

Don had 17 Grandchildren (and spouses) with 16 Great Grandchildren. There are also numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his beloved wife Clara, his son Dennis, age 10, his parents, Fredrick and Gertrude Brown, brother and sisters, Frasier Brown, Edna Wardall, Lela Boucher and Betty Kechley and of course his horses Ebin & Sox.

Visitation will be at Keith & Keith Funeral Home Thursday, August 22, 2019 from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. Graveside service will be held Friday, August 23 at 10:00 a.m. at West Hill Cemetery, Yakima, WA.

There are no words that can express our heart’s gratitude as to how caring the team of caregivers including Brookdale Senior Care, Heartlinks Hospice, friends and loved ones were during his final days.

As you desire, a donation to Shriner’s Children Hospital can be made in lieu of sending flowers. Floral arrangements may be sent to Keith & Keith 902 W. Yakima Ave., Yakima, WA