Donald Charles Brown

Donald Charles Brown died in the early morning hours of Monday, December 21, 2009 at the Winslow Campus of Care in Winslow, Arizona following a lengthy illness. He was 76 years old. Donald, who is affectionately known as "Chano" by his family and friends, was born on September 23, 1933 in Buffalo, Iowa to the late Charles Franklin and Gladys (Hobart) Brown. He graduated from Davenport High School in Davenport, Iowa. While there, as a senior, he participated on the sophomore wrestling team. He was a United States Army veteran, serving between the Korean Conflict and the Vietnam War. Chano completed his basic training with the 63rd Infantry at Fort Ord in California. He then was stationed overseas in Puerto Rico, where he served as a sedan / 3/4-ton section leader in the 546th Transportation Company. Don participated in the Lesser Antilles Swim Team out of Fort Buchannon. Chano married Estela Cancino on September 18, 1971 at the Lucky Wedding Chapel in Las Vegas, Nevada. Donald was a brilliant man and many considered him a genius. Academically, hed was very gifted, however, he excelled in chemistry. He received his Associates Degree from San Bernardino Valley Junior College in San Bernardino, California. While there, he participated on their track team, specializing in the javelin throw. Don later continued with his education at the Oregon College of Education (W.O.S.U.), where he received his Bachelor of Science Degree. He worked for Mentone Rocket Research Center and Development, which is a division of Lockheed Propulsion as a chemist in Mentone, CA for several years where he tested rocket fuel with a spectographer. While there, he was even given his own lab to run and operate. He later went to work for the City of Colton where his work was electrical engineer related, in Colton, California. A job he thoroughly enjoyed for many years. Donald moved to Arizona from California in 1980 and began working as a subsitute teacher at Mingus High School in Cottonwood. He could teach anything! Later, after moving to the Holbrook area, Donald taught as an Instructor of Sociology at Northland Pioneer College in Holbrook. Donald was an avid outdoorsman and enjoyed hunting, fishing and was an extreme dirt-bike and firearms enthusiast. He also was musically gifted and expertly could play the piano, harmonica, bagpipes, accordian and violin. Throughout his life, he wrote several pieces of his own music. In his later years he designed and built his own dory boat and had it "christened" on Lake Powell with his father. Donald was a private and humble man who was loyal to his friends and very devoted to his family. They all will miss him greatly. Donald is survived by his 4 children: Alma Molina of Tucson, Arizona, Joseph Brown of Holbrook, Arizona, Wilma Luna (Angel) of San Tan Valley, Arizona, Sara Brown of Holbrook, Arizona; his former wife, Estela Cancino of Holbrook, Arizona; his identical twin brother, Ronald Brown (Yvonne) of Aumsville, Oregon; 5 grandchildren: Joseph Brown, Jr., Jason Brown, Elena Martinez, Isaac Martinez and Elias Aguiar. He is also survived by other family members in Puerto Rico. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Richard Eugene Brown. The funeral service for Donald Charles "Chano" Brown will be held 11:00 A.M., Saturday, January 2, 2010 at the Holbrook First Assembly of God, 500 Mission Lane in Holbrook, Arizona where the visitation will begin 1 hour prior.