Kenneth Brown

Kenneth Brown, 88 of Safford, passed away August 28, 2010 in Tucson, Arizona at the VA Hospital. He was born in Eden, Arizona on October 31, 1921 to Polly & Jared Taylor Brown. Kenneth attended high school in Thatcher, and was # 40, Right Tackle on the football team. He joined the U.S. Navy at 18 and served as a Submarine Engineer for twenty years in the Pacific Campaign during World War II. After retiring as chief Petty Officer from active service, he was employed as Foreman at the Naval Shipyard, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii for ten years. Retiring once more and having lived 32 years in Hawaii, Kenneth and his family moved to California and settled in Watsonville. Kenneth returned to the Gila Valley in 1990. During his retirement, Ken filled his days in Ft. Thomas with activities that he loved most. On any given day, Ken could be found working on his tractor, taking long rides in his rail or working in his shop. Ken loved to build and create things with his hands and was an accomplished craftsman. Among his many gifts, Ken had that old pioneer resourcefulness that allowed him to become an accomplished mechanical engineer. He was enjoying retired life, but this was interrupted when he suffered a stroke on August 4, 2001. It was a continual life altering experience. Kenneth is a lifetime member of the VFW, American Legion, and the REA. He belonged to Safford Lodge #16 of the Arizona Free and Accepted Masons, and was also a member of the SABBAR SHRINERS of Tucson. Kenneth is survived by his wife, Virginia J. Brown, of Oro Valley and stepdaughter, Evelyn Hallford. His daughter, Edith Vieyra of Oakdale, Ca. and his son Kenneth Taylor Brown of Oakdale, Ca.; two grandsons, Kenneth Vieyra and Matthew Vieyra also of Oakdale, Ca. and sister Naomi Miller of Watsonville, Ca. Funeral Services will be conducted Wednesday, September 1, 2010 at 10 a.m. with viewing one hour prior at the Masonic Lodge in Safford. Interment will follow in the Thatcher Cemetery with Military Honors provided by the Gila Valley Honor Guard.