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Samuel Houston BROWN September 14, 1918 ~ January 19, 2009 Samuel Houston Brown, of Lakewood, Washington, died unexpectedly, but peacefully, of natural causes at his residence on. January 19, 2009. Sam was the third of Edith and Henry P. Brown II's children who were raised in Chestnut Hill, Pennsylvania. He attended the Episcopal Academy of Philadelphia and the University of Pennsylvania (1939), where he majored with honors in English. After working briefly as a timber cruiser in Maine and for Bell Telephone in Philadelphia, Sam joined the U.S. Army Air Corps in 1943. That same year he married Nathalie Bell, of Winnetka, Illinois, the love of his life for 64 wonderful years. Sam served as a captain in the 365th Fighter Group, IX T.A.C., in Europe until 1945. Upon his return from the war, Sam, and Nathalie moved to Longview, Washington, where he worked for the Weyerhaeuser Company in a variety of positions, and where the first two of their six children were born. Sam's promotion to Weyerhaeuser's Public Information Department brought them to Tacoma, Washington in 1950. For the next several years he served as the company's director of public information, assistant secretary of shareholder relations, and vice-president of the Weyerhaeuser Company Foundation. In 1967, Sam formed his own investment company, Brown Investments, which he owned until he retired in 2000. During those busy years, as their family grew and flourished in, their Lakewood home, Sam and Nathalie directed their considerable energies to active participation in a wide range of religious, artistic, philanthropic, social, and business institutions in Tacoma and Seattle. The couple were regarded as true pillars of their community, most notably as devout members of St. Mary's Episcopal parish and tile Diocese of Olympia, and as co-founders and lifetime trustees of the Charles Wright Academy. Sam alone served on numerous other boards and community agencies, including Faith Home (Episcopal Services for Youth, Tacoma Symphony Orchestra, Tacoma Allied Arts, Tacoma Club, Goodwill Industries Inc., Annie Wright Seminary, Educational Clinics Inc., Puget Sound National Bank, Laird Norton Trust Company, Laird Norton Foundation, Medina Foundation, Crystal Mountain Inc., and Alpental Inc. He was active in many local environmental. organizations and was a proud member of the Tribe of S.O.Y.P. and the G.Y.R.O Club of Tacoma, In 2002, Sam and Nathalie were awarded honorary Doctorates in Humane Services from the University of Puget Sound. Sam and Nathalie shared a joyous passion for song that is part of their rich legacy. On their many worldwide travels, Sam was never without his harmonica, and rare was the occasion that passed without them summoning forth an appropriate hymn or folk song. Sam's memory will be cherished for his gift for making friends with everyone he met, for his limitless generosity, and for his profound faith in God in the goodness of humanity. Sam was preceded in death by his wife, Nathalie. He is survived by his children: Laird (Corky) Brown; Edith Houston. Chambers; Margaret (Greg) Berger; Samuel F. Brown (Beverly Crockett); Nathalie (Tom) Miller; Henry (Debbie) Brown; as well as 15 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. A memorial Eucharist will be held on Tuesday, February 10th, 3:30 p.m., at St. Mary's Episcopal Church, 10630 Gravelly Lake Drive SW, Lakewood. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial gifts be made to the charity of your choice. Funeral arrangements by Tuell-McKee Funeral Home, Tacoma, (253) 272-1414. Please sign on-line guest book www.tuellmckee.com.
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My conversations with Sam were always punctuated with laughter. It was a gift to have known him.
He was a good man. Worth missing.
Chuck Pennington
February 9, 2009
Celebrating a life well lived. It is a honor to know Sam. He had an energizing personality.
John Keolker
February 9, 2009
May God receive Sam with open arms and give consolation, guidance and strength to his family.
Lewis & Trini Smith
February 3, 2009
Laird,
Blessings to you from an old friend. Your Dad was quite a guy! Loved by all. Our friend David will be greeting him up there. I'm praying for you. Maybe we'll have a cup of coffee one of these days.
Bob Duppenthaler
January 30, 2009
Through his association with Educational Clinics, Inc., as investor and director (chairman for many years), Sam helped thousands of children who had dropped out of school and would not otherwise have had a second chance to complete their education. Most never knew who their benefactor was. It was a privilege and a pleasure to work with him there. An additional pleasure my wife and I fondly remember was an unforgettable weekend with Sam and Natalie at our very rustic cabin in the San Juans.
Charles Davis
January 30, 2009
What a privilege it was some years ago to share a fishing trip to the Queen Charlotte Islands in British Columbia with Sam.
His talents as a storyteller and musician were on display. So was his gentle nature. He really debated whether to land a big king he had hooked. And his modesty. We spent four days in close quarters, yet it was only long after the trip that I learned he had had a distinguished career in business. One of a kind, for sure.
Michael Parks
January 29, 2009
To Laird and Henry
It was such a pleasure to have known your father Sam,a truly fine gentleman and a grand Soyp brother. I shall not forget his many contributions to the mirth and songs of the tribe.I'm sure we'll find him trekking a snowy trail yet to another outing-----
Pat Goodfellow [Skookum Tum Tum]
January 29, 2009
Our deepest sympathy to the entire Brown family. Sam and Natalie were not only the pillar of St. Mary's Episcopal Church, but the most humble, gentle and unassuming people you could ever meet. Our awful loss is heaven's majectic gain.
Stan and Doris Sherwood
January 29, 2009
Laird and Henry My thoughts and prayers are with your families Sam is in a much happier place and the legacey he left will only keep the time we all have left that much better
Charlie McDonald
Charlie McDonald
January 29, 2009
Sam and Nathalie, together once again, as it should be and always was to us, Our help and refuge in times of trouble, our cheerleaders in our victories, and our friends no matter when. You let us share your pride in CWA, and tenderly guided us when we went astray. We grieve our loss. But as you used to say when we asked how you were doing, Sam, you replied. "All the better for seeing you, today." Sir, we are all the better for having known you.
Bob Minnerly
CWA Headmaster, 1986-1996
Bob and Sandra Minnerly,
January 28, 2009
I feel humanity has been diminished by the loss of this great man. Please accept my deepest sympathies.
Dennis Dunn
January 28, 2009
Dear Brown family,
My late husband Holmes and I benefitted from a 50 year friendship with Sam and Nathalie at St. Mary's, Lakewood. Such remarkable Christians! They enriched each encounter with joy and purpose. The absence of both saddens me.
Florence Anrud
January 28, 2009
Thinking of you and know that they were a remarkable couple, a part of so many lives and what a great legacy they leave. Our best to all of you. Al and Lee
Lee Skinner
January 27, 2009
May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived.
Robert & Patsy Crabill
January 27, 2009
My prayers go out to the entire Brown family.
The heavens have welcomed a remarkable man! Forty-five years ago while in high school, I had the privilege of meeting both Sam and Nathalie at a (Lakewood Players) cast party in their home. I remember their graciousness and warmth, the laughter and fun. Just as memorable was the time your father offered to take me “out for a spin” in that beautiful convertible roadster, whose make and model escapes my memory. We continued a business relationship while I was employed at an investment firm and local bank. Then, there was Alpental. Ah, the wonderful memories!
Peace to all. Your father is in good hands. Nathalie must be beaming.
Ben Cables
January 26, 2009
Dear Brown Family,
Sam and Nathalie were the friendliest, kindest,most caring, and gentile people that I have ever met.
They must be leading the Angels'Choir. Perhaps Sam has his tuba!!!
Beverly Strickland (A friend at St.Mary's)
Beverly Strickland
January 25, 2009
Sam's personality defines Charles Wright Academy. A community of people Sam affected is gathering at
www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=45668569868
Ken Whitney
January 25, 2009
Laird-our loss, heaven's gain- mark
mark Griggs
January 25, 2009
This is truly the end of an era. What a wonderful example Sam set for everyone who knew him. I'm sure that Natalie is welcoming him with open arms! My condolences to all the Brown family. I have such fond memories from our old Charles Wright days!
Leslie Palmer Siggs
January 25, 2009
Sam was a wonderful, kind hearted man. He was a wonderful neighbor for 42 years and he will be sadly missed!
Gary & Mariko Chin and Jamie Riggins
January 25, 2009
We did not know him, but he sounds like an amazing man. Nate and Sheryl we are sorry for you and your families loss.
Gary & Christy Coyner
January 25, 2009
Laird - What a great dad! I wish I had known him better. Very sorry for your loss. Jim Blair
Jim Blair
January 25, 2009
Our condolences to all the family. Sam will be really missed by everyone who knew him..
Bill and Cyndie Carr
January 25, 2009
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