Byron Eugene Brown, 66, “Papa” to his kids and grandkids, died on May 4 at his home in Hillsboro, Oregon from a brief but devastating battle with pancreatic cancer. He was born May 18, 1954 in Los Angeles, California, to Aussie Maye (Ewell) and Willow Brown. Byron spent his early years in San Diego, California but for the majority of his childhood he lived in Compton, California, surrounded by the large, loving Ewell family. His mother, Aussie, raised Byron and his three brothers all while having a full time nursing career and caring for her aging parents. Byron excelled in school in both academics and athletics and in Junior High School he was selected to attend an exclusive boarding school, The Thacher School, in Ojai, California. At Thacher, Byron gained his love for tennis and outdoor activities. He regaled his family with stories of horseback riding and class camping trips, including the night he slept suspended from El Capitan in Yosemite while they climbed the face of the mountain. He graduated from Edgewood High School in West Covina, California where he lettered in three sports: basketball, tennis and baseball. Byron was recruited to play basketball at the University of Oregon, but while on his recruiting trip to Oregon, he visited Linfield College (now University) in McMinnville, Oregon and fell in love with the college. He played basketball and tennis for Linfield and graduated with a degree in political science in 1976 with a keen interest in law enforcement. He immediately went to work for the Yamhill County Sheriff’s Office and for the next forty-plus years, he devoted his career to law enforcement including positions with the Oregon State Police, US Secret Service, Oregon Liquor Control Commission, Washington County Community Corrections Center, Washington County Sheriff’s Office and most recently, the Multnomah County Department of Community Justice from which Byron retired in January of this year.
Byron is survived by his wife, Mary Jamieson, his children Byron Eugene Brown II, Mandy Graybeal (Brandon) and Stacy Phillips (Jeremy); his grandchildren, Justice Brown, Kenna, Gavin, Regan and Blake Phillips, and Meara and Selah Graybeal; brothers Eric Brown, Ronnie Brown and Frank Stewart, his faithful labrador, Missy; and a large, loving family of aunts, uncles and cousins from California, Arkansas and Texas.
Byron's passions were his family, his career, his Baptist faith, food - he was the original “foodie”- and our family retreat, “Camp Nanapop.” Byron was a devoted husband, father, brother and grandfather who never missed a game, a graduation, a theatre production or any event involving his children or grandchildren. Many hours were spent around the campfire telling his grandchildren his special story about “King Papa and the world of Camp Nanapop.” Byron enjoyed traveling with his wife on many road trips throughout Oregon and the US in his RV, as well as two trips to Europe.
Byron was a friend to all and a mentor to many! So many co-workers and former interns have shared how influential Byron was in their career choices. He shared his love and knowledge of sports by coaching both girls and boys basketball and tennis at Hillsboro High School for many years. Byron was selfless, funny, steady, reliable, caring, gentle and compassionate. His last shared concerns to each of us were his worries for us being on our own without him to care for us and his desire that we should take care of one another!
Donations in lieu of flowers can be made to Linfield University in honor of Byron and benefiting the “Frasier, “Bubba” Sparrow Endowed Memorial Scholarship,” a scholarship Byron founded to honor the memory of his classmate and friend and to further the education efforts of African American students at Linfield.
Byron’s Memorial Service to be held Saturday, June 5, 2021, at 10:00 a.m. at Sonrise Church, 6701 NE Campus Way, Hillsboro, Oregon. The service will be live streamed and available for viewing at: https://m.youtube.com/channel/UCOmgB88tU1JWWZtH8gr0-gg or https://m.facebook.com/sonrisechurch
A reunion and memorial will be held in California at a later date.
Obituary: https://www.dvfuneralhome.com/obituary/byron-brown
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