David George Brown, 74, passed away Monday, July 4, 2022, as result of Covid at Continental Care and Rehabilitation in Butte, MT. He was born February 22, 1948, in Poughkeepsie, New York, the son of Charles E. and Myra (Olmstead) Brown, Poughkeepsie, New York.
He grew up with ten brothers and sisters in the countryside of Poughkeepsie. As a child and teen, he worked across the road at Chorney’s dairy farm.
After high school, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corp where he served his country in the Vietnam War from 66-69 as part of the 1st Battalion, 3rd Marines, Alpha Company, 3rd Platoon. While in the service he received the Purple Heart Medal, Presidential Unit Citation, Combat Action Ribbon, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal w/1 star, Vietnam Campaign Medal w/device, Marksmanship Badge: Rifle, Expert Badge: Pistol. At the end of his service, he was honorably discharged in San Francisco where he met his first wife (Barbara). Together they had two boys—Charlie & Dan.
While living in the San Francisco Bay Area, Dave learned to be a mason via his father-in-law. Longing for a less crowded area, the family moved to Yuba City, CA and then to Browns Valley in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountain range where he practiced his trade as a contractor and bricklayer. In 1978, while helping a friend move to Northern Idaho, the family passed through the Big Sky Country. On the return trip to CA, the family stopped in Lima, MT, where we visited a friend’s relative and ended up buying The Peat Bar from the town’s Deputy Sheriff.
During his 1st stint in Lima, he was a bartender, bouncer, roughneck, night calfer, bricklayer, and a sportsman. In 1986, he returned to the Bay Area to work in the trade that he loved. While in the Bay Area he married his 2nd wife (Carrol – no children). Later, he moved back to the Yuba City area again where he met his 3rd wife (Terri – no children). Then he returned to Lima as a single man in 2003, where he built his dream home from an old log cabin with a view of the Lima Peaks.
Dave loved Alaska and visited it a few times with friends and family by truck, RV & ferry. He also visited New Zealand and France as well as having driven from coast to coast a handful of times. As a NASCAR fan, he attended a few of the races.
Dave was many things in life: son, soldier, friend, husband, father, uncle, bricklayer, builder, entrepreneur, bar owner, member of Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, grandfather, councilman, fisherman, hunter, traveler and many more. Above all, he appreciated time spent with his friends and family. You will be missed.
He is survived by his children, David Charles Brown, Long Beach, CA, Jack Daniel Brown, Big Piney, WY; grandchildren Wyatt Brown and Violet Brown; brothers Paul, Pete, Chis, and Pat; sisters Louise Gosnell and Nany Rose.
He was preceded in death by his parents; siblings Edward, William, Mark, and Michael; 3 Boston Terriers: Millie, Molly & Maggie.
Graveside services for Dave are Saturday, Sept 10 at 1pm at Lima Cemetery. A Celebration of Life, in Dave’s honor, will follow in Lima at the Town Hall at 2pm. All services privately organized by family.
If you are interested in watching the Celebration of Life online remotely, please email Charlie at charlie68@yahoo.com, 323-309-1063.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Lima Swimming Pool at P.O. Box 186, Lima, MT 59739 or Lima Fire Department at P.O. Box 161, Lima, MT 59739.
Please visit below to offer the family a condolence or share a memory of David.
Axelson Funeral and Cremation Services has been privileged to care for David and his family.
Charlie Brown says
Email if you are interested in watching the Celebration of Life online.
at charlie68@yahoo.com
Charlie Brown
323-309-1063
Forrest Leal says
David and I became good friends, in fact I guess he was my best friend. He did a lot for me and my family He helped me build my house here in Lima. Well he lied the cement block for my basement. Then I helped him wire his house . He became the third Grandfather to my to grandchildren. they became very close . Him and I did a lot together, fishing, hunting, four wheeling allover the country , trips to Alaska. He loved Alaska I think if he had the chance He would have moved there. My two grandchildren really loved him. When ever they would go over to his house he would fix them something to eat.they did a lot together also, He taught them how to drive. When ever they would go on the back roads he would let them drive . they had a wonderful relationship and He is mist a lot.
Bart Culbertson says
Dave loved life and all of us who knew him loved him for his genuine nature!
Pam says
Dave was a wonderful man! He was very good friend of my Husband Monte. I am sure they are having a good time together in heaven having their cocktails and talking about old times. He did some beautiful brick work at our house in San Bruno. Got so many compliments on it. God Bless you and RIP Love Pam