Kenneth Gaylord Brown

Kenneth Gaylord Brown, of Spokane Washington, passed away on September 13th, 2023 after battling and conquering multiple health issues that came up towards his later years. His fighting spirit never stopped until the end, when his heart and lungs just wanted to rest.

Ken was born on January 19, 1930, to parents Maude Burke and Lester Brown in Pullman, Washington. Ken was a man that had many talents and skills. Ken loved art and obtained an art degree at Washington State College (now WSU). He joined the Army in 1951 to 1953 and was afforded the opportunity to learn Aircraft Mechanics. He fell in love with this skill and successfully began teaching for many years at Spokane Community College, impacting many students in their professional life. As a lifelong learner, Ken obtained his Master’s Degree in Geology at what is now known as Central Washington University, followed by another profession of Crop Adjusting. He was born a simple farm boy and continued that love on Orchard Prairie where he grew just about everything. His teaching surpassed the classrooms at SCC, and no matter who or where you were, he would find a way to incorporate some sort of lesson on anything in life.

In 1968, he married his beloved wife, Barbara. He also committed to Barbara’s children, Susanne (Sigler) Strang and Stacy Sigler. He took on the ‘Papa’ role with ease with his granddaughter, Natalie McLean, her husband Jordan and their two boys, Josiah and Jameson McLean.

After retiring, Ken stayed busy with Barbara! He stayed on with crop adjusting, volunteering with the fire department, and various organizations like SCC track meets, Tieg Garden Club, Friendship Force ,and state parks. He and Barbara loved to travel and truly enjoyed meeting people from all walks of life. They loved their condo in Tucson, Arizona and later would volunteer at state parks in the Southwest, staying in their camper, always keeping busy. They drove all over the US, visiting their son Stacy in Colorado, Sue and Natalie in Seattle, Ken's family in the Pullman and Lewiston, Idaho area, Barbara’s brother, (Patrick McConnell) and wife (Nancy McConnell) in Southern California, and Barbara’s mother (Marguerite McConnell) on the Oregon coast, and even Texas to visit Sue and his son-in law, Dan Strang. As they participated in Friendship Force, they traveled across the world, and hosted foreign participants at their home on the prairie. If you drove by while they were hosting, you would often find their guest’s home country flag flying alongside the US flag. Ken loved to be active, he was strong, an amazing woodworker and able to fix just about anything. Anyone that met him instantly loved him. From people to animals. He loved sports, participating in Bloomsday, golf, fishing, hunting. Watching the Cougs and Zags was one of his favorite things to do. Flying was his passion, a legacy he got to pass on to his grandson-in- law. He could tell you just about anything about soil, rocks, plants, stars, farming, aviation, and history.

Ken is survived by his wife, Barbara, his stepson Stacy, his stepdaughter Susanne and her husband Dan, his granddaughter Natalie, her husband Jordan and their two boys, Josiah and Jameson. Godchildren Sam and Jessie Swift, Neil Paupst, Meredith Paupst and Rachel (Clothier) Williams.

Ken lived a long and wonderful life and will be deeply missed by those he left behind. His legacy will live on in the hearts of those he met. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to any organization that involves the outdoors, being active or involves learning. This will keep his legacy going and would be the most meaningful.

In true Ken fashion, he will be waiting for his beloved wife to make the final call home. We will be postponing a celebration of life until Barbara is ready to join him, and we will celebrate them together at St. David’s Episcopal Church in Spokane, Washington. Details to come.