James D. Brown, 70
Jim was born on May 9, 1942 to Duane Ivan Brown and Rita M. Asnicar, and raised in Lander, Wyoming. He was called to Heaven on Tuesday, July 3, 2012 in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho and died peacefully in his sleep from natural causes. He completed school in Lander and then joined the Navy as an electrician from 1960-1964. Jim was aboard the USS Picking during the Vietnam War and saw his share of action there. Upon his discharge from the military, he began his lifelong career in the field of telecommunications. He began as a cable splicer, in Nevada, then went on to an engineer, inspector, and Construction Supervisor in Idaho. He was privileged to work for Contel, GTE, and Matanuska Valley Communications, in Alaska, for almost 10 years. Jim was also part of a team that lived and worked in Hungary for three and a half years, designing and building a new telephone system for the Hungarian government. He thoroughly enjoyed both Hungary and Alaska, and made many friends in both places. While overseas, Jim had a chance to visit many other countries, but especially enjoyed seeing his ancestral home in Italy. It was there he met some of his cousins that he never knew. Such a highlight for him!
He married Jan Brown in 1977 in Virginia City, Nevada at the Silver Queen Bar. He always said that “most marriages end in bars, so we were starting there instead.” We were married for 35 happy years and blessed to raise our combined families of five sons. Jim loved to hunt, fish, camp, 4-wheel in his own special Jeep, and travel. He was a member of the Coeur d'Alene Duck Club, the Elks Club, the VA, and also St. Pius X Catholic Church in Coeur d'Alene Idaho.
Jim is survived by his loving wife, Jan, at home in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho; sons, Russell (Christina) Brown of Allyn, Washington, Nicholas (Faith) Brown of Spokane Valley, Washington, Michael Trickett of Casper, Wyoming (and Texas), Christopher (Denise) Trickett of Nampa, Idaho, and Kevin Trickett of Meridian, Idaho. Grandchildren are Kaitlyn, Jordan, lan, Noah, and Hannah Brown; Tony and Levi Trickett,; Savanna Trickett, Stephanie Gilbert, Arielle, Jessica, and Zeta Trickett. Great grandchildren are Novalee, Kyla, Karlie, Justin, Nathan, Ashley and Xora. Survivors include two very special sisters; Charlotte Yelek of Loveland, Colorado, and Mary (Floyd) Helm of St. George, Utah. There are also numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins that survive him. He was preceded in death by his parents; one daughter, Amy; two brothers, Earl and Richard; and several aunts, uncles, and cousins. In lieu of flowers, Jim would appreciate donations to the Homeless Veterans Organizations or the Disabled American Veterans Organizations.
A Memorial service will be held at 11 a.m., on Saturday, July 14, 2012 at St. Pius X Catholic Church, at 625 Haycraft, Coeur d'Alene, Idaho with a reception to follow at our home. Yates Funeral Home is in care of the arrangements. Please visit Jim's online memorial at www.yatesfuneralhonmes.com and sign his guestbook.