Todd Brown, a loving and devoted son, brother, uncle and friend died Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2006. He was 41 years old.
Todd was born May 7, 1964, and grew up with his family in Sumner.
He spent many of his summers on Vashon Island at “the beach.” After graduating from Sumner High School, he attended Washington State University where he joined his brother and cousin in the Alpha Kappa Lambda fraternity.
Taking a break from WSU he also attended Wenatchee Valley Ski School, but ultimately received his Bachelor of Arts in communications from WSU.
His sense of adventure was reflected in everything he did. A consummate salesman, he threw himself whole-heartedly into every aspect of his life and work.
Never afraid of hard work or taking a risk, he helped start Turnbull Fine Arts in Sun Valley, Idaho, and them moved on to help start Sun Valley Watersports. He traveled many times to Maui to help set up Turnbull Fine Arts there and also spent many hours building waterfalls and bridges in the outdoor sculpture gardens.
Mr. Brown also spent several years on Vashon Island selling and designing advertising for The Beachcomber.
The last years of his life were spent working for Burien and Auburn Nissan as a salesman and finance manager. He had a wide range of skills and interests and packed a lifetime of laughs and adventure into his short 41 years.
An avid golfer, skier, boater and Coug fan, he was happiest in the company of his many wonderful friends and family members and was a constant source of amusement for all who knew him.
If, at the end of one’s life a persons’ worth is measured not by the material possessions that one owns, but by the quality and caliber of his friends, Todd would be considered a giant among men, his family says. He will be deeply missed by those who had the fortune to love, laugh and live in the presence of Todd.
His parents Stew and Sharon Brown and his dog Ruprecht died earlier.
Survivors include his sister Erin Crelling and her husband Tom and children Mike and Dan of Tacoma, his brother Kevin Brown and wife Tracey of Sumner, his sister Stacy Carkonen and her husband Shawn and children Mimi and Wesley of Vashon, stepmother Margie McGinnis of Vashon, his aunt and uncle Susie and Doug Brown and cousins Roland Brown, Eline Mervis and Kristin Jaquish.
A memorial service will be at 2 p.m. Monday, Jan. 16, at the Sumner Presbyterian Church.
Donations can be made in Todd’s name to the Stew Brown Scholarship Fund, Washington State University Athletic Foundation, P.O. Box 641602, Pullman, Wash. 99164-1602.