Chuck Lee Brown

Chuck Lee Brown, 58, of Selah passed away peacefully at his home on March 19, 2010. His passing followed a nine year battle with Melanoma. Undeterred, Chuck made the very most of each day during that most difficult time.

Chuck was born to James and Beverly Brown in Longview, WA on July 31, 1951. Chuck was raised in Longview with his two younger brothers Doug and Greg. While growing up, they often enjoyed their summers camping on the Yakima Indian Reservation with their numerous cousins and later in life cutting wood for the family with his mother and father. Chuck was a 1969 graduate of RA Long High School, Longview, WA.

On September 18, 1971 Chuck married the love of his life Kathy Leach. Chuck and Kathy were high school sweethearts and dated since their freshman year.

Chuck attended Western WA University where he earned his B.S. Degree in Mathematics. He enjoyed playing intramural basketball at Western and made many great friends in the process.

Chuck began his teaching career in Sumner, WA where he taught math and coached for six years. While living in Sumner Chuck and Kathy were blessed with the birth of their first son Jason.

In the fall of 1980 Chuck accepted a teaching position in Selah, WA. Chuck would spend the next 29 years in our community teaching, with a passion for math and coaching. Chuck was a very knowledgeable and versatile coach. He had the unusual ability to coach both male and female athletes in several different sports and at various age levels.

Chuck always took pride in calling Selah his home. He and Kathy have remained active in our community for the past 30 years. Their sons Travis and Brett were born in Yakima and along with Jason were raised in Selah.

Chuck was a very athletic individual. He played organized football in high school, but also enjoyed and excelled in basketball, baseball and softball. During his career in education Chuck coached each of these sports as well as cross country.

Sailing on Puget Sound in his younger years, driving his jeep in the hills of the Yakima Indian Reservation, bicycling, hiking, running, triathlons, and mountaineering were among his favorite activities. Chuck hiked throughout the Pacific Northwest and climbed major northwest peaks including Rainier, Adams, Hood and St. Helens (prior to and after the 1980 eruption.)

Chuck and his family really enjoyed baseball. He lived for spring training. There were several years when Chuck would spend many spring days in Phoenix with family and friends enjoying sun and baseball together. Visiting northwest casinos was another opportunity to share good times with family and friends. A recent trip to Las Vegas was highlighted with hiking local mountains, a tour of the Grand Canyon and Hoover Dam, and a helicopter ride.

Chuck had many great lifetime experiences and memories. During the past few years he was blessed with four beautiful granddaughters. Chuck was a proud grandfather. He adored these girls and experienced great joy spending time with them.

As an educator of 35 years Chuck had a tremendous impact in the lives of his students. Chuck enjoyed working with teenagers and shaping young minds. Unfortunately for his students he also enjoyed playing mind games. Any student that had Chuck for a teacher remembers his special abilities. “I don’t care” was a famous Chuck Brown quote. Of course his students knew that no teacher cared more.

Chuck was preceded in death by his father Jim. Chuck is survived by his loving wife of 38 years Kathy; three sons Jason (Ellie) of Garfield, Travis (Samantha) of Spokane, Brett of Selah; grandchildren Tiona, Brianna, Desiree, Joe, Jordan, and Madison; mother Beverly of Yakima, brothers Doug (Bev) of Yakima and Greg (Patti) of Longview; nieces Erin and Jessica (Justyn Bell) and nephews Matt, Marcus (Megan), Ryan, Adam, Tyler, Christopher (Amy) Leach and Michael Leach.

In lieu of flowers the Brown family would very much appreciate a financial donation to the Chuck Brown Scholarship. Checks may be mailed to Selah School District, 105 West Bartlett, Selah, WA 98942.

A special thank-you to Memorial Hospital Hospice for the wonderful care and assistance they provided to Chuck and Kathy.

A memorial service will be held at 2:00 P.M. Saturday, March 27, 2010 at the Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 801 Tieton Drive, Yakima, WA 98902.