Harry Charles Brown Jr.

Charlie was born in Centralia, Washington to Harry Charles Sr. and Ethel Brown. He attended grade school at Edison Elementary, where he was a safety patrol guard. It was in grade school that he started his boy scouts, eventually becoming an eagle scout, and this blossomed his love of the outdoors. He spent a lot of time bow and rifle hunting, fishing and camping with his Dad and brother, Harold. Fishing along the skookumchuck river catching 10 -20 lb salmon.

In 1956, Charlie graduated from Centralia High School and in December of 1956 joined the Air Force. He started his basic training in Lackland Texas, and was stationed in many places over his 20 years of service in the USAF. Amongst these included: North Dakota, Mississippi, Morocco, Dominican Replublic, Philippines, Australia, Libya, France, Hong Kong, Florida, North Carolina, Arizona and Washington. It was while he was stationed at Pope Air Force base in North Carolina that he met Emily Sears on a blind date. They eloped on her 18th birthday, March 23, 1963. He spent some time in Alaska after they were married and than the two of them moved to Crestview Florida, where their first daughter, Cindy (Ninny bucket), was born in February of 1965. Eighteen months later, Karen (pumpkin), was born in August of 1966. In September 1969, while stationed at Luke Air Force base in Arizona, his third daughter, Beth (ding bat) was born.

The next stop in this Air Force journey was in North Carolina, where he met his lifelong friend Robert Thomas Brown (R.T.) in 1973. Charlie and R.T. spent many days together hunting, fishing and camping and when Charlie was transferred to Neah Bay Washington in 1974, he requested that his good buddy also be transferred as well. ..together again in 1975.

In 1976 Charlie, retired from the Air Force and the family settled in his hometown of Centralia, Washington, living just 5 blocks from the house he grew up in. Thus began his career with Pacific Power and Light, working at the steam plant. The family frequently went camping at Horseshoe Lake with his parents. One of his favorite places was Mount Rainier. He also liked camping in Packwood and day hikes, picking blackberries or huckleberries. The family usually went to Mount St. Helens every year, until it blew in 1980. Charlie was always happy when he was outdoors. He was an avid gardener. He had a vegetable garden every year and shared with all the neighbors. He also enjoyed making his own pickles and stinking up the house. He had a green thumb and his flowers were always thriving. Some of his other favorite things were watching John Wayne movies and collecting wolves

The family started attending the Free Methodist Church in Centralia, where Charlie and Emily were actively involved with the high school youth group. Hosting Wednesday night bible study in their living room…sometimes as many as 50 high school youth would fill up the room. This is where he became known as Pa Brown to most of the young people, who continue to call him by this name. Charlie also became head usher, a Sunday school teacher and one of the greeters for Sunday morning services. He always gave such good tight hugs. Sunday night services were a time of singing and worshipping, and it never failed that someone, (probably everyone at some point), would request the hymn “Wonderful Grace of Jesus”. And there Charlie would be in the back of the church with his booming voice, belting it out as loud as he could, followed at the end by a very loud “AMEN”.

In 1991 Charlie and Emily divorced. He moved to Yakima shortly after that, transferring to the PP&L in Yakima, where he continued working for them for another 10 years or so. He joined a hiking group and always kept busy working in his yard. He ended up moving to Selah in 2003, where he met his new love, Edith May (Edie), whom he married January 17, 2004. His life with Edith was an adventure starting with their honeymoon, going on a Carribean cruise trip to Jamaica , the Cayman Islands and Mexico . Followed by many outings to sportmans park, Ahtanum Meadows and they especially liked walking in the yakima canyon, the greenway and going to the Arboretum in Yakima. He loved visiting her Aunt and Uncle Ronald Carpenter in Paulsbo. Charlie and Edith often went to Mt Rainier, he always enjoyed it there. Even through the toughest part of his illness and especially the last few days Edith remained by his side talking with him, singing to him and praying with him, always saying Jesus loves you and so do I.

Charlie is with Jesus now singing in his deep booming voice with the angels, followed by several AMENS, I’m sure. Loved ones who will miss him: Best friend and wife of 8 years, Edith May. His daughters Cindy (Brian) Yarnell of Spanaway, Karen (Danny) King of Centralia and Beth Worbes of Yakima. His 3 grandchildren: Charles King, Hollie King and Riley Worbes. His brother, Harold Brown and a niece, Carrie and 2 nephews Steven and Clayton Brown. Also his loving family through Edith: Rebecca Carpenter, Shawn (Brandy) Bender, and Paul Kern. Grandchildren: Lizabeth Howser, Colton Bender, Kyle Bender, Shaye Carpenter and Benjamin Hotchkiss. He was preceded in death by his parents.

The family wishes to express their appreciation to all the staff and caregivers at Arbor House, Yakima Valley Memorial Hospital and Memorial Hospice for the wonderful care and kindness shown to Charlie.

Viewing will be held at the Keith & Keith Ninth Avenue Chapel from 4:00 until 8:00 p.m. Thursday and Friday May 31st and June 1st. Funeral Services to be held by Keith and Keith Funeral Home on Saturday 1:00 p.m. A committal service will be held at Tahoma National Cemetery in Kent, WA with full military honors on Monday, June 4, 2012 at 11:15 a.m. A Memorial Service will be held at Cooks Hill Community Church, 2400 Cooks Hill Rd. Centralia, WA on Saturday, June 9, 2012 at 1:00 p.m.