Ned Gilman Brown

Ned Gilman Brown February 13, 1947 – September 25, 2025 Ned Gilman Brown, 78, of Lebanon, Oregon passed away at his home on September 25, 2025, surrounded by his beloved wife and children. Ned was born on February 13, 1947 in Mobile, Alabama. He was the third child of Joseph and Virginia (Thomas) Brown. Due to his father's U.S. Air Force service, Ned's childhood was characterized by moving and military bases. His favorite childhood memories were from his time in Hawaii. His children looked forward to evenings when the slide projector would get dusted off and pictures of the flowers, beaches, and child-versions of their dad and his siblings would grace the walls. Eventually, Ned's family settled in Fairfield, CA where he graduated from Armijo High School. He later graduated from Sonoma State University with a B.A in psychology. In 1966, Ned rented a room in an old Victorian in downtown Napa, CA, to attend Napa Valley Community College. He caught the eye of the girl next door, and the rest, as we say, is history. That was the beginning of a lifelong love story between Margaret Brandt Brown and Ned. They were married August 29, 1970 in Napa. Ned pursued a career in construction, first co-owning and then owning J & B Construction in Napa. Ned and Margaret added four children to their family in Napa. In 1992, the family moved to Redding, CA. Ned continued to work in construction and was active in a local church. Two more children joined the family in Redding. In 1998, Ned and Margaret moved to Lancaster County, PA where they lived for 10 years before relocating to the Scio/Lebanon, OR area. One final child joined the family during their time in Pennsylvania. Most recently, Ned had gone into cabinet-making with his youngest son, Caleb. Ned leaves a legacy of a strong work ethic, a love of reading, an appreciation of natural beauty, and a value for family to his seven children. His final days were spent with his children reading aloud books that he once read to them as children. His final request was The Hobbit. For Ned, the curtain of this world has rolled back to reveal a beautiful country with a swift sunrise. Ned is preceded in death by his parents and sister, Barbee Brown. Ned leaves behind his beloved wife of 55 years, Margaret B. Brown, and his seven children: daughter Erin (Darren) Gordon of Redding, CA, daughter Jennifer (Reuben) Stoltzfus of Lancaster, PA, son Nathan Brown (Hailey) of Edmond, OK, daughter Kathryn (Cary) Smith of Salem, OR, son Daniel (Karisa) Brown of Blackfoot, ID, daughter Emily Brown (Michael) of Sacramento, CA, and son Caleb Brown of Lebanon, OR. Ned is also survived by his brother, Robert Brown of Chico, CA and 14 grandchildren, ranging in age from 28 to 18 months. Needless to say, "BaBa" will be greatly missed. A celebration of life will be planned for next summer at his favorite park. Details to come later. If you would like to contribute in his memory, a GoFundMe has been set up for a replacement car for Margaret. https://gofund.me/6ed191842