Borge Einar "Bud" Browell

1926 - 2024

Burlington - Borge Einar "Bud" Browell (age 97) was born on June 1, 1926, in Stockholm, Sweden, and emigrated with his parents to the USA in February 1929. The family initially traveled to Bud's Uncle Edward Olson's home in Minnesota, then at age 4 moved to Chicago, and finally, at age 6 to a farm in NW Pennsylvania, owned by his mother's Uncle Olof Erickson. During his time moving around and experiencing different places, Bud developed many good work habits doing chores on the farm.

When his Mother passed away in 1939, he and his father decided to move to Seattle, presenting more work opportunities for Father. Bud attended the 8th grade at Seward Grade School, and first his first 2 years at Broadway High School. During this time, he delivered Seattle newspapers - Seattle Star, and later the Seattle Times and the Pl. Following his resignation from the Seattle Times (after a dispute with management), he was a cookie dumper for Grandmas Cookies during the afternoon after school. There was just no time for sports offered by the school.

The Naval Air Station was being built on Whidbey Island in 1942, so a move to Oak Harbor was next. Bud graduated from Oak Harbor High School in May 1944 where he lettered in football, basketball, and baseball during his Junior and Senior years. What a thrill for him!

In 1943, he had an opportunity to go commercial fishing for salmon in Alaska on board the 45-foot purse seiner "Sunwing". This was a great opportunity for him to learn navigation, which served him well while in the US Navy. One memorable incident while crossing Queen Charlotte Sound on the way north was the sighting of a pipe sticking out of the water off the port bow. It was a Japanese submarine. They had been known to be along the west coast at that time. No doubt this was lucky for them, as they were traveling alone at the time.

Like so many young men of the time, he joined the US Navy in May 1944 and served aboard the heavy cruiser USS Wichita. He served on the Wichita CA 45 as a Quartermaster until May of 1946 and earned 5 battle stars for major engagements in the South Pacific during WW 2. The ship was part of Admiral Halsey's fast carrier task force and later participated in the landing and occupation of the Philippines and Okinawa during intense Kamikaze activity. The USS Wichita was the first major warship to enter Nagasaki, just one month and 2 days after the atomic bomb was dropped. The crew had been designated as Atomic Veterans. The objective of the entry was to liberate 10,000 Allied POWs. Sixty days were spent on occupation duty in that area. Then two trips to the West Coast USA to bring our soldiers back home. The final trip was the transit of the Panama Canal to Philadelphia to decommission the ship.

After the war, Bud attended Farragut College and Technical Institute for one year, one of 1,000 ex-GI's that were trying to further their education. This is where he met the love of his life, Inez Powell. Inez was attending Farragut due to her older brother, another Army vet that was enrolled. When attempting to transfer to a 4-year college, credits earned at Farragut were refused, and so a year was lost. So, it was off to construction work with his Father and he enrolled in the original Skagit Valley Junior College carpenter apprentice class, then located at the Mount Vernon High School.

His Fuller Brush career began in January 1950, involving the old-fashioned door-to-door service in a specific area. This continued until 1969, when Sara Lee purchased Fuller Brush and he was appointed Field Manager, and then Division Manager for Western Washington until his retirement in 1987. Inez jokingly told Bud, "You can't quit. Where will I get my Fuller Products?". So, he kept his Independent Distributor contract and since then, has recruited and appointed several Independent Distributors for the Fuller Brush Company.

Bud enjoyed many outdoor recreations. Some of the most notable involved family fishing, camping, and mineral prospecting. He was the past President and 10 years as goaltender for the Washington "Loggers" Roller Hockey Team (National champions - 1969) based out of the Roller Frolic in Burlington, WA. Bud was also deeply involved in the development of the youth hockey during those years. After the Roller Frolic closed, he formed a team of players and entered the NW Industrial Ice Hockey League in Bellingham. The team won the championship during the 1982-83 season and placed 2nd in a tournament with teams from Seattle and British Columbia.

More recently, in Jan 2000, he helped organize hockey programs for youth and men at the new Roller Rink "Skagit Skate" in Burlington. After a 5-way by-pass in 2004, and following rehab, Bud still wanted to skate, and so he promoted a twice-a-month 2-hour hockey turnout for his old teammates from the 60's, and 70's. This continued from September through May at Skagit Skate in Burlington, and with new skaters, totaled approximately 26 players. His skating activities came to an abrupt end when, during a game in 2010 as a referee, an errant slap shot broke his nose and damaged his right eye, both repaired. However, Bud retired from hockey and his Navy activities, and then focused on appointing new Fuller Brush reps.

Bud was a Life Member of the Gold Prospectors Association of America and Lost Dutchman Mining Association, First President of Silver Arrow Bowmen in Mount Vernon, WA, and a member of the American Legion. He was a life member of the VFW and the Washington State Representative and National Director for the United States Navy Cruiser Sailors Association. Inez and he attended many National and Western District Reunions (a total of 19) and visited many areas of the good old USA since 1997. He also promoted attendance for WW2 members at monthly luncheons and 2-hour bull sessions in seven areas throughout Washington State. During this time, Bud encouraged members to write their memories for their children and grandchildren, before the history of WW 2 is lost.

Bud is survived by his wife, Inez Browell; daughter, Kathryn (Bruce) Cay; son, Eric Browell; grandchildren, Grayson Steding and Chase Browell, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his Mother in 1939 and Father in 1952.

Please sign the Book of Memories, light a candle and leave your condolences for the family at www.JernsFH.com