Gary Kidd Drown

Gary was born December 3, 1932, in Des Moines during the depression to Mary (Nicola) and Hampton Kidd Drown, the 3rd of 4 siblings: Nancy, Molly and David. As the eldest son, like his father, his middle name “Kidd” followed the family tradition and lore of being descendants of the notorious privateer, Captain William Kidd.

He married his high school sweetheart, Elizabeth Booth. Following his divorce, he proposed by mail and married Patricia Walston. Gary survived his parents, siblings and wives passing away peacefully at age 93 on June 16, 2026, in Portland Oregon. He is survived by his 5 daughters: Debra Drown, Cathy MacLeod, Bonnie Wolf, Paula Jackman and Laura Crum as well as 4 son-in-laws, 9 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren.

He served in the Navy and Reserves for 9 years. Following college at Drake University in Des Moines, he began his 45-year career as an actuary in Ohio, then Indiana and finally Arizona. After his beloved wife Pat’s death, he relocated to Portland Oregon where 2 of his 5 daughters still live.

Gary expressed his faith and love of God through his service, not only service to his family, but service to the world, the Church, and his community. He served on several UMC national committees, the Board of Pensions and the Board of Missions. During the civil rights movement, he sponsored the first African-American family for membership in his local church in Cincinnati. In Indianapolis, he played a significant role in providing funding for several programs created for urban adults to gain entry-level employment in the clerical and bookkeeping fields and went on to place graduates of the program into his own company. He worked with his local Church in Phoenix to provide temporary shelter and meals to the homeless.

He never met a math problem or a card game he didn’t like. He published a research paper on Napier Logarithms while in college. In his final days, he still organized or played in 2 weekly pinochle games, a friendly poker game, penny drop and bingo.

He loved music, especially traditional folk tunes and Methodist hymns, particularly “Come thou fount of every blessing”. He loved square dancing and admired cloggers and any foot-tapping music. His pocket harmonica was always with him in the hope that an impromptu singalong cropped up. He sang in the choir until age 86!

He avoided the internet and Facebook like the plague. But he knew and celebrated every birthday and anniversary of his extended family and friends, remembering them the old-fashioned way … in his head or on scraps of paper.

He will be missed and celebrated.