In the early hours of Aug 24, 2024 Keith Brown passed into the loving arms of all who preceded him – especially his wife Bubs, his daughter Leslie and his grandson Sean.
Keith was born in Kamloops on February 10, 1931 to Kay and ‘Jimmy’ Brown who were also life-long residents of Kamloops. His earliest years were spent at the Pass Lake Environmental Station where his father managed the livestock. He began school at a one room school house at Red Lake and recalled having to go there by horse drawn sleigh. After that first year his parents chose to move him to Kamloops to live with one of Kay’s aunts so that he could attend Stuart Wood and walk to school. When he was only 12, his father, Jim passed away suddenly of a heart attack while working up at Blue River. This prompted Kay, Keith and Kenny to move back to Kamloops where there was an abundance of family. Keith recalls it as a really tough time because there were no death benefits payable to his mother. He continued at school for a time and also had a little job at a pop bottling business near the current Red Bridge. Although clever, he said he didn’t like school and so left after Grade 9. His entire working career was in Forestry starting with running a team of horses skidding logs to a mill. He retired in 1987 as a Woodlands Superintendent for Tolko Industries at Hefley. For a time afterward, he did some contract work for Tolko, working with and mentoring his grandson, Sean.
In 1950, while hauling lumber up at Hefley for Balco Industries, Keith met Bubs who was visiting her sister Hazel who was married to one of the mill owners. According to him, it was pretty much love at first sight. They were married within the year. Together they made a wonderful family with Jim, Kathie and Leslie. At times, life was really hard – like living in a one room shack with no running water. Somehow, strength of character, laughter and love got them through. Family was everything to Keith and was always celebrated, be it a birthday, anniversary or a reunion. The highlight of all of our lives was the annual week we rented cabins at Agate Bay on Adams Lake. Days were filled with water skiing, fishing, swimming, camp fires that went long into the night, and cribbage and horseshoe tournaments. We continued that tradition for over 20 years. Other than family, Keith’s passions were camping, photography, playing and coaching ball and hockey, travelling, exploring back roads, and animals of any kind.
Keith is survived by his son Jim Brown(Sally) and his daughter Kathie Dunn (Tom). He was Grandpa to Sean, Lindsay (Ryan), Allison and Kevin (Raquel) and Papa Keith to Nicolaas, Hannah and Jonathan. He also leaves to cherish his memory three of Bub’s nieces, Donna, Gail and Chris. Sadly, he was predeceased by his brother Kenny in 1962, Mom Kay in 1999, Bubs in 2014 and Leslie and Sean in 2016.
Until the Spring of 2023, Keith lived in his own home. He treasured visits from family and friends and especially all the grand dogs. We would like to thank the staff of both The Shores and Ridgeview Lodge for their amazing, thoughtful and compassionate care in the final year of Keith’s life.
There will be a Celebration of his Life on Saturday, September 21 at 11:00 AM at the Kamloops Funeral Home, 285 Fortune Drive. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Kamloops SPCA, the MS Society or the Sean Dunn Scholarship fund c/o Kathie/Tom Dunn.
Our Dad was always our rock. He was a kind, caring and gentle soul.
He lived his life quietly with dignity, courage and compassion, never seeking or wanting attention.
He was a proud man who valued family, friends and the value of his word.
It is said the measure of a man is in the love given. Our Dad was beyond measure.
He was and is simply irreplaceable.
Condolences may be sent to the family from
www.kamloopsfuneralhome.com
