Ray Brown

Ray Brown, 87, of Congress, AZ left for his celestial home on Sunday, Feb. 2nd, 2025, while resting in his living room after battling leukemia. Born in Manila Arkansas to Edgar Birch and Emma Brown, he was raised on a cotton farm by his grandparents in Gray Ridge, Missouri, after which he travelled north to Michigan at the age of 17 to work for General Motors. He joined the Air Force in Nov. of ’55, serving in the Air Police, stationed in England and Germany.

On rotation home, he met and married his first wife, Nadine, of 54 years, with whom he had two sons, Lindell and Michael. Together they raised children and grandchildren, living in San Jose, Hollister, and Red Bluff in California, while he provided through a career in construction, retiring from PG&E after 41 years. He was an avid roller skater, working nights at a local roller rink for 15 years. During latter years with PG&E, he founded Brown’s Backhoe Service where he worked with his two sons. An avid car enthusiast, he turned wrenches and built vehicles throughout his life, sharing his skill and knowledge with family and friends.

He lived in San Jose, Hollister, and Red Bluff in CA, then moved to Spokane, WA, before landing in Congress, AZ, where he went back to work for Fisher Trucking, before “retiring” yet again, to care for Nadine during extended illness before her passing.

 Soon after he met Norma at church, with whom he enjoyed 14 years of marriage, during which Ray led the Congress Food Bank for 4 years. He stepped down from this position to care for Norma after a debilitating medical issue.  He continued service with Congress Community Church as President of the Board until death.

He is survived by his wife, Norma C. Brown, brother Harold Brown, two sisters Sharon Hennager and Janie Diffiee, two sons Lindell Brown (Mitzi) and Michael Brown (Gail), daughter Julia Hamilton (Michael Torres), grandchildren Jennifer Brown, Tiffany Fitzpatrick (Thomas), Adrienne Roberts (Cody), Alec Brown, Arianna Brown, Elisha Tilley (David), Jessica Nasca (Matt Burke), great grandchildren Caleb Ray Eakin, Kylie Brown, Nathan Dodd, Hannah Dodd, Hezekiah Fitzpatrick, Joseph Tilley, Rachel Tilley, Erica Tilley, Abrielle Nasca, Gracie Burke, Amariah Roberts, and great great grandson Waylon Gallaspy.

Ray’s Celebration of Life will be held Tuesday, Feb. 11th, 2025 at Congress Community Church, located at 27420 S Santa Fe Rd, Congress, AZ 85332.

For those unable to attend in person, there will be a live stream, found on Pastor Tim Willis’ YouTube channel, here: https://www.youtube.com/@timwillis1386/streams

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