Kenneth Russell Brown

1940 - 2025

KENNETH RUSSELL BROWN

October 19, 1940 – September 29, 2025

Kenneth (Ken) Russell Brown or "Papa Ken" as he was lovingly known to his grandchildren, was born on October 19, 1940, to Rusty and Ruth Brown. He was born and raised in Bakersfield, and remained rooted in the community he loved his entire life.

After graduating from East Bakersfield High School, Ken attended Bakersfield College and then transferred to UCSF, where he earned his PharmD in 1964. It was during pharmacy school that he met and married the love of his life, Sally Myers. Together they built a life filled with love and devotion, recently celebrating their 63rd wedding anniversary. They attended First Presbyterian Church together where Ken served as both an elder and a deacon.

Ken worked as a pharmacist for Memorial Hospital for 35 years before semi-retiring to work alongside his friend Gregg Gunner at Gregg's pharmacy. He valued hard work and honesty and his work ethic kept him working as a pharmacist well into his late seventies. He was devoted to his family and found great joy in spending time with them. He is survived by his wife Sally; son Jack [wife Mindy and son Alex]; daughter Christena Wakefield, [husband Bill and their sons Zachary (wife Madison), Ryan, and Brett (wife Alyssa)]; daughter Ann Marie Verneuil, [husband Andrew and their daughters Olivia and Sophie]; daughter Becky Bartz [husband Eric and their son Chandler)] as well as his beloved dog, Callie.

Ken was a man of quiet strength, unwavering integrity, and deep loyalty. He was happiest when he was outdoors or in the mountains. He loved bird hunting and cherished the close friendships he had with his long-time hunting buddies. A former college swimmer, he continued to swim and bicycle for much of his life, even competing in several marathons. In the summers he could be found hiking and fishing up at Butte Meadows, CA, at the family cabin. A quiet man with a mischievous sense of humor, he enjoyed simple pleasures like ice cream, long bike rides, reading bedtime stories to his children and grandchildren, Sally's tuna sandwiches, road trips to the Central California Coast, sunsets, and good beer (especially those brought by his son Jack).

Ken passed away peacefully at home on September 29, 2025, after a long battle with malignant melanoma. Despite many medical setbacks to his health over the years, he faced his illness with quiet determination and never lost his sense of humor. His legacy lives on in the values he instilled in his family and the many lives he touched with his sweet spirit, kindness and humility. We are all better people because he loved us. Words cannot convey how much he will be missed.

A celebration of Ken's life will be held at 10:30 am on Monday, October 27, 2025, at First Presbyterian Church, 1705 17th Street, Bakersfield, CA with a reception to follow.

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