Robert (Bob) R. Brown

Bob was born November 10, 1942 in Yakima to Wray and Rosella (Bragstad) Brown. The youngest of three children, Bob grew up on 8th Avenue and attended McKinley Elementary, Franklin Junior High and A.C. Davis High School graduating in 1961. It was in the fifth grade that Bob met the love of his life, Sharon Sears. They were best friends the rest of their time together. We are blessed they are reunited.

He grew up in the family business, Wray’s Thriftway, starting out sorting empty pop bottles in Bobbie’s Bottle shop in the back and then becoming a boxboy.

After high school, Bob moved on to the University of Washington to study business. Sharon was studying nursing in Tacoma and they spent many weekends together. Bob and Sharon were married in March of 1964. A few months later, Sharon graduated from nursing school and they loaded the car and were off to Michigan State University so Bob could study food market management.

During their time in East Lansing, their first child, Stephanie, was born. Bob and Sharon returned to Seattle in early 1966. While in Seattle, their son Jeff was born. The fall of 1966 signaled the return to Yakima. Wray’s was about to open a new store at the Chalet Mall and Bob came home to join the family business. Their son, Chris, was born the following summer.

Over the years, Wray’s Thriftway changed and grew. Southgate joined the family in 1973. The drug store opened in 1980. Meadowbrook in 1984. It became Wray’s Marketfresh IGA in 2012.

During all this time, Bob always found time to help Yakima. He was a lifelong member of Kiwanis. He served on numerous boards including the Washington Food Dealers Association, Thriftway board of directors, the board of the National Grocers Association, the American Red Cross, the Greater Yakima Chamber of Commerce, the Yakima Valley Visitors and Convention Bureau, and several advisory boards for the city of Yakima. Bob also kept some time for the Yakima Valley trolleys and the Sunfair parade association.

His other passion was the West Valley Fire Department. He learned how to be a fireman as a young man volunteering with the Yakima Fire Department. He volunteered with the West Valley Fire Department for many many years. The scanner was always on.

Dad was honored by the Greater Yakima Chamber of Commerce with the Ted Robertson Community Service Award in 2011- an award he always said he did not deserve.

Bob is survived by his daughter, Stephanie of Yakima, son Jeffrey and wife Lita of Cle Elum, and son Chris and wife Karen (his true favorite child). He had six grandchildren, Jeremy, Dylan, Alex, Nicholas and Mikaela of Yakima and Haven of Mt. Pleasant, Michigan and several great grandchildren. He is also survived by his brother, Gerry and wife Vickie of Auburn.

Bob was preceded in death by his lifelong love, Sharon, his parents Wray and Rosella and his sister Sue and husband Hobe.

A memorial service will be held at Grace of Christ Presbyterian Church on Thursday, June 18, 2015 at 2:00 p.m.

The family was blessed to get to spend so much time with Bob in the last few months. We enjoyed many late night story sessions and discussions. We will miss you, Dad. All the bad jokes, tests and quizzes and left handed comments. Enjoy your second tour with Mom.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Yakima Valley Trolley Association or The Cottage in the Meadow. Special thanks go out to the staff at Memorial Hospice, ResCare and The Cottage in the Meadow.