John Herbert (Jack) BrowneMay 3, 1920 a" November 15, 2009

He was born in Tacoma, WA to John Herbert McLeod Browne & Helen Louise (Hubbell) Browne, and attended Stadium High.He married Kathleen (Katie) Cecelia Cleary in 1942 and joined the Army Air Force, graduating from Pilot training in 1943, just after his oldest son was born.He was assigned to the 15th Army, 301st Bombardment Group, 419th Bomb Squadron stationed in Foggia, Italy.His experiences during the war made him a lifelong pacifist.

On his return, he began working for a collection agency.He and Katie had four more children.In 1953, the family moved to Richland, WA where he opened a new branch of the collection agency, ran his own agency, and finally joined Sears. In 1963, the family relocated to Seattle.He and Katie divorced in 1966.

In 1967 he met Naomi (Jauron) Tobias, who had 3 wonderful sons, and spent the next 42 years helping to raise them.They made their home on Vashon where he worked for King Co. Solid Waste, was a long time member of the Vashon Booster Club and the Vashon Island Golf & Country Club. He was also a member of the Pharaoh's Club in Tacoma.After Naomi's sudden death in January, 2008, he moved to Seattle and was excellently cared for by Bob & Marilyn Clark.

The epitome of a "hail fellow, well-met," he was a sportsman, a scholar and an athlete.As we were growing up, he read us poetry and stories, taught us how to garden, raise chickens and enjoy really good jazz music.He had a wonderful sense of humor and a way of connecting with people that put them instantly at ease.He had a wonderful, lively, searching mind and made wry cracks, recited poetry & sang songs right up to the end.

He is survived by his children and step-children: John (Vicki) Browne, Colleen (Dan McKillop) Browne, Shelley (Herb) Johnson, Shannon (Jeff) Bertuch, Tim (Julia) Tobias, Mark (Jodie) Browne and Dan (Dinece) Browne, 25 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren.A celebration of his life will be held at The Grange on Vashon Island, Sunday, December 6th, from 2-5PM.See you there!