Wendell Brown

Wendell Brown, 69, of Tacoma, WA passed away on September 4, 2015 after a long battle with cancer. He was born December 9, 1945 in Tacoma to John and Barbara Brown. He was raised in South Tacoma, attended Arlington Elementary, Gray Junior High School, and graduated from Mount Tahoma High School in 1964. He served in the U.S. Air Force and was stationed in Sacramento, CA and Panama, from 1966 to 1970 when he was honorably discharged as a disabled veteran. After returning home, Wendell went back to school and graduated from the University of Puget Sound with a Bachelors degree in 1972. Wendell spent 15 years in the insurance industry, first as an adjuster for Firemans Fund Insurance, and then selling insurance with his own business, Wendell Brown Insurance. In 1978, Wendell campaigned for and won a seat in the State Legislature from the 29th district, which started a long and successful political career serving the same area in which he grew up. He served 2 terms in the state House of Representatives before winning a race for the Pierce County Council. He served 2 terms there as well, before becoming Pierce County Assessor Treasurer. He ended his political career again as a Pierce County Councilman before his retirement in 2002. Throughout the years, Wendell also served on many boards and commissions, including Central Latino, Pierce Transit, and the Boys & Girls clubs of Pierce County. Wendell enjoyed spending time with his wife, kids, and especially his grandkids, and golfing. He was a Master Gardner and spent much of his time in his vegetable garden, which was always very bountiful. He also enjoyed traveling and talking politics, of which he was still active in, whenever the topic came up. Wendell also enjoyed football season. He was an avid fan of the NY Giants (mainly because the rest of the family are Dallas Cowboys and Seattle Seahawks fans), and loved to play fantasy football. He loved to talk about the game, the players, and how well he was doing (or more appropriately, not doing) in all of the leagues he was involved in. You always knew where to find him on a Sunday during football season. During the offseason, he enjoyed watching any major golf tournaments, as long as he didnt have a tee time of his own to make, of course. Wendell loved people. He was able to see the good in everyone, always wanted to help others, and was a mentor to many. These are values that he passed on to his family. Wendell, or Grandpa Beno made sure to teach his kids and grandkids to be appreciative of what they have and to also help others who are less fortunate. Wendell would take his grandkids to get supplies to make care packages for the homeless, and then theyd set out to deliver them to those in need. Over the years, he was present to support his kids and grandkids at their various games and school events. He enjoyed coaching, and as a little league coach he got the most enjoyment from watching his players confidence grow as they improved. Another example of his coaching and guidance was in noticing when his niece was swinging the bat, she would let the bat drop just enough to miss the ball and that she had most of her success when swinging at the first pitch. He suggested that she start using a lighter bat and jump on those good first pitches and her game improved. Every member of his family has an example, and usually several, of how he was able to make them better. His influence will live on in each of us. Wendell was preceded in death by his parents John and Barbara. He is survived by his wife of 28 years Iola, daughters Lisa Almonte (David), Lynn Tuttle (Lane), son Chris (Jennifer), Grandchildren Allison, Gina, Eric, Nicolas, Adam, Ben, and Natalie, Twin Great Granddaughters Ava and Brooklynn, Sister Marie Gordon of Gig Harbor, Brothers Calvin Brown and Larry Brown of Tacoma, dogs Maddie and Max, and too many other family and friends to count. There will be a Celebration of Life memorial reception on October 4th at the Topping Hope Center Boys & Girls Club, 3875 South 66th between 1pm - 4pm. Wendells family would like to thank the staff and nurses at Franciscan Hospice House for their exceptional care and compassion. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Boys & Girls Clubs of South Puget Sount or to Centro Latino.