George Lee Brown was born on June 26, 1951, in Portland, Oregon to Mariette Suzanne Brown (née Lajoie) and George Thomas Brown. He died unexpectedly April 30, 2025, at the age of 73.
He grew up in a bustling catholic family in the Mt. Tabor neighborhood of Portland and remembered fondly the years they lived on Queen Anne Hill in Seattle. He was the oldest of six children, siblings whom he admired and made him proud. He was also proud of his French-Canadian roots on his mother's side, and late in life gained his Canadian citizenship. Taking a few trips up to Quebec, Canada helped connect him to his mother's family and culture.
He loved to tell stories, especially of his youth. He often remembered his Judo lessons where he earned a brown belt and his time in Scouts where he earned his eagle. He graduated from Franklin High School in 1969 where he excelled. He went on to Portland State University. During summer break, he worked as a forest fire fighter for the U.S. Forest Service, stationed in Oakridge, tending trails and fighting a large fire in Wenatchee. Politically active while in college, he managed a successful campaign for an Oregon State representative.
He met his wife Pamela as a young man at a dance; they fell in love and were married for 53 years before his sudden passing. After marrying, he earned his bachelor's degree from PSU in business psychology. Perhaps it was this education that made him an empathetic person, always considering the feelings of others and giving deep thought to the opposing viewpoint. Pam helped him land a job in insurance, which led him to spend the first half of his career as an insurance agent. Needing a change, he spent the second half as a loyal TriMet bus driver. He worked long hours on the extra board to help his kids through college. He was a hard worker, compelled to provide for his family. He retired earlier than planned in 2016 after a battle with cancer.
He was a loving and devoted husband, father, and grandfather. A good citizen, with strong ethics and sense of duty, he will be remembered for his volunteer activities in the community as a t-ball coach, baseball coach, cub scout troop leader, church Sunday school coordinator, and church choir member. In his free time, he enjoyed reading, camping, fishing, canoeing, horseback riding (in his youth), meandering drives in the countryside, and the Oregon Coast. Forgiveness, open heartedness, and love was at the core of who he was, which led him to enjoy many day trips with his father before his death in 2019 while both were retired.
He is survived by his wife Pamela Brown (née Stormo), children Christina Brown, George Brown II and spouse Caitlin Burke, grandchildren Ash Brown and Emilie Brown, mother-in-law Viola Stormo, siblings Julian Brown, Suzanne Marx (née Brown), Lawrence Brown, Henri Brown, and Louise Brown, and five nieces and nephews.
A memorial service and reception will be held on May 17, 2025, at 2 pm at West Linn Lutheran Church.