Errol R. Brown

What can be said of Errol?

Errol was an adoring husband, farmer, businessman and civic leader.  He loved to travel, fish and golf.  Most importantly he was a man who loved his family.

Errol Rolland Brown died at home in Vancouver, Washington September 22, 2016.  He was born January 28, 1922 in Hood River, Oregon to Theron Henry Brown and Cleo Myrtle Carr.  He was the oldest child of four children.

Errol lived his entire life in Oregon and Washington.  He grew up moving with his parents and siblings spending his early years in Portland, The Dalles and Hood River, Oregon.  The family also moved to the Yakima Valley towns Donald, Parker, Harrah, Wapato and Sunnyside, Washington. 

Errol married Mary Adams, November 7, 1943.  She preceded him in death September 17, 2006.  They were partners in life, living and working together raising a family while working together every day in their businesses.  Errol and Mary had three children, James of Meridian, Idaho, Carol Davis of Spokane, Washington and Donald of Portland, Oregon.

Errol grew up during the great depression learning the value of hard work and family values.  During their first years of marriage times were very difficult living in the Yakima Valley.  He held multiple jobs to support his young family, working for Pacific Fruit, managing the Asparagus Growers Association, custom farming and selling real estate. 

In 1955 he had the opportunity to move the family to Quincy, Washington.  There he started working in the Fruit and Potato processing warehouse.  He spent eleven years in Quincy where he started farming eventually farming 700 acres.  During his years in Quincy he also owned and operated potato processing warehouses.  In 1964 eventually owned and built the world’s first all-electric french-fry processing plant.  He sold the french-fry plant in 1966 and moved back to Sunnyside, Washington.

A new opportunity and direction in his life came in 1968 when he purchased Totem Sales a small retail store in Sunnyside.  Starting with 4 employees he successfully built and expanded the business adding a second store, Totem 2.  He had 50 employees when he and Mary retired 1988.

Errol spent several years in local public service.  He first served three years on the Civil Service Commission in Sunnyside.  In 1979 he decided to run for a position on the Sunnyside City Council.  A position he was able to hold for 24 years.  He was also Mayor pro tem for 12 of those years. 

He was very proud of his service to Sunnyside.  He was conservative in his views.  Listening to what the citizens said and pushing for ideas to make the community better.

In 1986 he and several others started a new bank, Home Security Bank, with branches in Sunnyside and Prosser, Washington.  He was named chairman of the board and served for 7 years.

He loved to travel and had the opportunities to visit Europe and Mexico.  He was also able to travel within the United States spending time in Alaska and Arizona.  He made numerous trips to his favorite place, Hawaii. 

Even with his successes in business and his enjoyment traveling Errol found his greatest treasure to be his family.  He loved being with his family and always enjoyed seeing and visiting his large extended family including his many nieces and nephews.  He dearly loved his grand-children and great grand-children.  He would always light up when he saw them.

Errol is survived by his sons James (Sherrie) Brown, Donald (JoAnn) Brown, daughter Carol (Richard) Davis, his six grand-children Brian Davis, Valerie Dewitz, Melinda Anthony, Stacy Crockett, Timothy Brown and Michael Brown, as well as 6 great grand-children.

In lieu of flowers the family requests contributions to be made in Memory of Errol Brown to Peace-Health Hospice Southwest, P.O. Box 1600, Vancouver, WA  98668.

Viewing and visitation will be held on Thursday, September 29, 2016 from 2:00 PM – 8:00 PM at Smith Funeral Home in Sunnyside, WA. A Funeral Service will be held Friday, September 30, 2016 at 1:00 p.m. at the Smith Funeral Home Chapel in Sunnyside, WA. with burial to follow at Lower Valley Memorial Gardens, Sunnyside,WA. Those wishing to sign Errol’s online memorial book may do so at www.funeralhomesmith.com Smith Funeral Homes in care of arrangements.

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