Wilburn Brown Sr.

BROWN,Wilburn Lewis, Sr. "Webb" Died peacefully in his home in Potter Valley in the early morning hours of January 7th, 2011 surrounded by his wife and children. He was born in Ukiah on May 7th, 1910 to Warren and Luella Brown. He was the second of their five sons. Both his parents and his brothers Howell, Boyd, Philip and Robert preceded him in death. In his early life he grew-up on a hop ranch and at one time served as field boss for his father. He attended Ukiah High School where he was active in football and baseball. Recently he was honored with the Ukiah High School Distinguished Alumni Award. In his long career Brown was owner of a gas station, he then spent several years in the dairy business and in 1955 through 1977 he was elected and served as the Mendocino County Assessor. As President of the California Assessors Association from 1963-64 he was responsible for 12 major bills dealing with tax assessment. His many public services included several terms on Mendocino Air Management District Board, and as a member of the Ukiah Unified School Board as well as serving as a Potter Valley School Board Member. He was Chairman of the Save the College Committee for Mendocino College and was named Distinguished Citizen by the college for his support in establishing the college and helping it move to its current location. Brown was a long time member of the Potter Valley United Methodist Church and served many years as chairman of the Board of Trustees, leading in the restoration of the church building. In recent years he helped to organize Ukiah High School reunions. 1n 1932 Webb was married to Maxine Adams. Four children were born to them. After many happy years of marriage, Maxine preceded him in death in 1983. He was later married to Rev. Ruth Rambo-Brown. He is survived by his daughter Donna Morine and her husband Dan; by daughter Karen Linser; daughter Sandra Ford; and son Wilburn Lewis Brown, II and wife Carre; son Jim Lindburg and wife Denise; daughter Lori Lindburg; and son Craig Lindburg and partner Elizabeth Simmons. He is also survived by 18 grandchildren, 31 great grandchildren, and nine great-great grandchildren. He was a beloved husband, father and grandfather. A visitation will be held at Eversole Mortuary on Thursday, January 13th, 2011 from 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. There will be a burial service at the Russian River Cemetery in Ukiah at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, January 14th, 2011 and a Service of Celebration of Brown's life at the Potter Valley United Methodist Church on Main Street Potter Valley at 2:00 p.m. on January 14th. The family prefers memorial contributions be made to Phoenix Hospice of Mendocino County, 100 San Hedrin Circle, Willits, CA 95490 or the Potter Valley United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 69, Potter Valley, CA 95469. Arrangements under direction of : EVERSOLE MORTUARY, 141 LOW GAP ROAD, UKIAH, CA.