Donald M Brown, 94, born in Los Angeles, with twin brother Darrell, on July 6, 1931, to Roy Sr. and Lelah Brown.

His middle initial, M, was named after his mother’s midwife, Mrs. Marceille. Don was one of seven children who preceded him: Roy Jr., Leland, Betty, Darrell, Vince, and one other at birth.

Donald graduated from Fremont High School in Oakland in 1950. After graduating, he was drafted into the Army (1951–1953) with honors. Throughout his career, he worked in a machine shop making fire hose equipment in Oakland, then moved and worked in Eureka for Ernest Daw, W.P. Fuller, and did tile work with his brothers and father. He later worked at GP/LP beginning in 1969, until his retirement in 1996.

On Christmas night in 1953, he met the love of his life, Shirley Bugenig, at a dance. They married in 1955, lived in Eureka a few years, and bought a house in Arcata where daughters Carrie and Connie were born. They later moved and bought a house in McKinleyville to settle their roots.

Don enjoyed golfing with his buddies, taking trips, always took pride in working in his yard, and loved feeding and watching hummingbirds, ducking out of their way while feeding them. When Shirley broke her hip, she called him her nurse. It was okay at that time, but she would get irritated with him for helping too much. She had a stroke in 2012, and he was devastated. He tried taking care of others so they wouldn’t take care of him.

Don re-met Julie Thompson, which took some of his pain away. Once again, he traveled and cared for her until her passing in 2018. During that time, he became a member of The Presbyterian Redeemer Church in Fortuna, under predeceased Pastor Lance Anderson and current Pastor Tom Culbert. He gained many more friends there. This gave him a new job as an Uber driver for some of his friends.

Don is survived by his daughters: Carrie Gragert (Gordan) and Connie Fisher (Joe); three grandsons: Joey Martin, Mike Martin; and was preceded in death by Brady Gragert. Don also has many nieces and nephews — especially George Brown of Arcata and Janet Brown of Spokane Valley — for always being there for him and supporting his daughter Connie. He is also survived by Julie’s family and grandchildren.

Friends and family are invited to a service at Goble’s Funeral Home in Fortuna on August 6 at 1 p.m., with prior viewing before the service. Then on August 7 at 2 p.m., words will be spoken as he reunites with Shirley at Sunset Memorial Park Mausoleum Crypt in Eureka.

Continually, his words were: “I have lived a full and happy life.”

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