BROWN, Donald Charles (Chano)

The White Mountain Independent, Show Low, Arizona 12/29/2009 Donald Charles Brown, 76, died in the early morning hours Monday, Dec. 21, 2009, at the Winslow Campus of Care following a lengthy illness. Donald, who is affectionately known as "Chano" by his family and friends, was born Sept. 23, 1933, in Buffalo, Iowa to the late Charles Franklin and Gladys (Hobart) Brown. He was a United States Army veteran, serving between the Korean Conflict and the Vietnam War. Chano completed his basic training at Camp Pendleton in California then was stationed overseas in Puerto Rico. Chano married Estela Cancino on September 18, 1971, at the Lucky Wedding Chapel in Las Vegas, Nev. Donald was a brilliant man and many considered him a genius. He received his higher education from Valley View College in San Bernardino, Calif., and later from the Oregon College of Education (W.O.S.C.). He worked for Lockheed Propulsion as a chemist in Los Angeles, Calif., for several years and, while there, was even given his own lab to run and operate. He later went to work for the City of Colton as an underground electrical engineer in California. A job he thoroughly enjoyed for many years. Donald moved to Arizona from California in 1980 and began working as a subsitute teacher at Mingus High School in Cottonwood. He could teach anything. Later, after moving to the Holbrook area, Donald taught as a Professor of Sociology at Northland Pioneer College in Holbrook. Donald was an avid outdoorsman and enjoyed hunting, fishing and was an extreme dirt-bike and firearms enthusiast. He also was musically gifted and expertly could play the piano, harmonica, bagpipes, accordian and violin. Throughout his life, he wrote several pieces of his own music. In his later years he designed and built his own dory boat and had it "christened" on Lake Powell with his father. Donald was a quiet and humble man who was loyal to his friends and very devoted to his family. They all will miss him greatly. He is survived by his four children Alma Molina of Tucson, Joseph Brown of Holbrook, Wilma Luna (Angel) of San Tan Valley, Sara Brown of Holbrook; his former wife Estela Cancino of Holbrook; identical twin brother, Ronald Brown (Yvonne) of Aumsville, Ore.; five grandchildren Joseph Brown, Jr., Jason Brown, Elena Martinez, Isaac Martinez and Elias Aguiar. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother Richard Eugene Brown. Funeral services for Donald Charles "Chano" Brown will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 2, 2010, at Owens Livingston Mortuary, Holbrook Chapel, 409 1st Ave. in Holbrook with a visitation one hour prior. Owens Livingston Mortuary of Show Low handled arrangements. For those who have special memories and would like to send private condolences or sign an online guest book, visit www.owenslivingstonmortuary.com.