It is with great sadness our family announces the passing of our father and grandfather, Mr. Starr Alfred Douglas Brown on Feb. 8, 2005 in Clearwater, B.C. at the age of 86 years.
Starr was born in Calgary, Alberta in 1918 and eventually resided in Little Fort, B.C. around 1947, after serving in World War II for five years as Major Starr Brown. He received numerous medals including the African Star and the Italy Star.
Some of our Dad's accomplishments included acting as an 'extra' in a 1936 movie titled The Great Barrier made in Revelstoke at age 18, then of course serving his country in the Second World War for five years for which his family is immensely proud of. He purchased and operated a trap line in Little Fort around 1947 that extended up to Bridge Lake and also served as a hunting and fishing guide, operating from his 'headquarters' on Highway 24 in Little Fort. He then built and operated Aurora Lakes Fishing Resort of Highway 24, with some original guests still going there with their children and grandchildren. He was very well known for flying his gyrocopter in and around Little Fort, up to Aurora Lakes and on Dutch Lake in Clearwater in winter and summer months. He was a great carpenter who built many homes and some businesses from Kamloops to Little Fort and beyond to Clearwater, with stories of working with Art Rexin. He served the communities of Barriere to Blue River as an exceptional furnace repair man and made many friends doing so. Dad served as president of the Barriere Legion from 1969 — 1970 and taught local children to shoot a rifle in the local gun club. He was an expert marksman, who at 86 taught April and his grandchildren Doug and Kris how to target shoot, and who could still hit the bulls eye. These outings were very special. He achieved the gold and silver plaque for marksmanship in 1956 as well as other badges won in kneeling and prone target shooting in 1960 — 1961. He was also well known for attending the local 'turkey shoots,' people would ask which 'shoot' he was going to and they would go to the other! These are some of his accomplishments that come to mind but I'm sure there are too many more to list.
He is survived by his four children: daughters, April Rose Brown (Gavin Alward) and Diana Lynn Brown (John Rypstra); his grandsons Douglas John Mohr and Kristopher Arthur Mohr; his sons Kevin and Richard Brown. Starr was predeceased by his loving wife Beverly Rose Brown (2000) and his son Starr Jimmy Brown (1967)
A celebration of Starr's life will be held on Tuesday, Feb. 15, 2005 at 1 p.m. in the Royal Canadian Legion, lower level, Barriere, B.C. with Mr. Lloyd Strickland officiating. Interment will follow in the Field of Honour, Barriere Memorial Cemetery. Should friends desire, donations to the Dr. Helmcken Memorial Hospital Foundation, 640 Park Drive, RR#1, Clearwater, B.C. V0E 1N0 in memory of Starr would be appreciated. Deepest thanks to the wonderful staff and Dr. Soles at the Dr. Helmcken Hospital for the great care of our father and the support they gave us. Also to the Jim family for enabling me to live across the street from dad to be close and to Veteran Affairs Canada for the well deserved respect they gave our dad as a war veteran.
Dad ... I miss you more than words can say,
I miss your smile, the twinkle in your eyes.
I miss your jokes, and your stories.
I miss our time together, sometimes just sitting and visiting or watching TV together.
I miss our crib games that you taught me so well and we played almost every day.
Our visits to the Little Fort Pub to see your many friends.
I miss our drives to Barriere and Clearwater, you, me and sooner (three peas in a pod).
I already miss hearing your voice and hearing you say "Love you too honey."
I'm so grateful for our time together, I only wish we had more.
Thank you dad, for being my dad and for becoming my friend.
I'm very proud to be your daughter and to say Starr Brown was my father.
Love always and forever, your girl-kid ... April.
Dad ... I'll never forget the good times we shared, the crib games, camping and the jokes. I love you forever, and I miss you, love your daughter Diana