Adrian 'Brownie' L. Brown, 86, USN (Ret.)

Adrian "Brownie" L. Brown, USN (Ret) passed quietly June 6, 2015, at his son's home in St. Ignatius, Mont., at age 86. A Celebration of Life will be held from 5 to 9 p.m. on Saturday, June 20, at his daughter's home, 1756 E. Avon Circle, Hayden Lake, ID 83835.

The eldest of seven children, Adrian was born Feb. 23, 1929, on the family homestead 8 miles south of Jordan, Mont., at Sand Creek. In his youth, Adrian worked on the XIT Ranch and the family Milroy & McKerlick ranches. At 17 he joined the Navy, completed his education in the military and rose to rank of Senior Chief Petty Officer.

Adrian shared great memories aboard the USS Thomas E. Fraser, USS Suribachi, and USS Waddell. In 1950, while on shore leave in Milwaukee, Adrian met and then married his wife of 65 years, Faith (McCullough) Brown. It was love at first sight. The feisty blonde bombshell and strong handsome Navy man were a striking pair.

Adrian later joined the U.S. Navy's Nemesis program, a secretive brain trust of engineers, scientists and trouble-shooters who keep the Navy's most sophisticated weaponry prepared for war. Adrian was secretly transported around the globe to ferret out computer glitches and malfunctions of shipboard guns, radar, missile-guidance controls or launchers.

One day, Adrian decided he was too old to be dropped in war zones from helicopter baskets onto decks of destroyers during rough seas. Therefore, he went back into civilian life to open his own automotive shop "Brown's Automotive & Machine Shop" in Mountain Home Village, Calif. There, they threw many memorable and great shindigs with hayrides, barn dancing, pit cooked burro and pig. Their home and hearts were always open. If you showed up at mealtime they would "throw another bean in the pot" and make you stay.

After retirement from his business they built a home in Calimesa, Calif. Adrian kept busy helping his nephew, Wayne Simmons, with various construction projects in Yucaipa, Calif., restoring classic cars and teaching evening adult automotive classes at Yucaipa High.

In 1995, Adrian and Faith retired to their acreage home in Pinehurst, Idaho, to be closer to children and grandchildren. After 10 years, Adrian and Faith sold their home and moved to Hayden Lake, Idaho, where they resided for nine years.

Adrian never demanded respect, it was freely given. Respected and loved by all that knew him. Not only strong and intelligent, he was the kindest of men, always there to help anyone in need. Adrian's generosity, wisdom and warm consolation will forever be treasured and remembered by all. We are truly fortunate to have had him in our lives.

Adrian was preceded in death by his parents, Ira and Minnie (Milroy) Brown of Jordan, Mont., and brothers William I. Brown and Fredrick N. Brown.

Survivors include: his wife Faith (McCullough) Brown; son Gaylord E. Brown and wife Pamela S., daughter Pamela J. Jank and husband Tim; five grandchildren: Mathew Brown, Jocelyn Bucholtz, Brandon Jank, Allison (Jank) Williams and Travis Jank; great-grandchild Brooklyn Bucholtz; brothers Sterling and Harold Brown; sisters Margaret Cremer and Delpha Wood; nieces and nephews Amy (Vesley) and Wayne Simmons, Kim, Robert, Michael, Mark, Miles and Monte McCullough, Shelly Lindsay, Jacque Gregg, Cathy Cremer, Brenda Armstrong, Brian Armstrong, Linda Lenar, and Randolph Paterson.

Condolences, photos, anecdotes and memories for the Celebration of Life can be sent to the family via daughter Pam Jank at [email protected], or at 1756 E. Avon Circle, Hayden Lake, ID 83835.