Charles J. Brown "Chuck" Chuck Brown, 80, born December 6, 1919 in Tucson, Arizona, died peacefully only 2 weeks after burying his beloved wife Ruth. Chuck was raised in Tucson where he began his love of golf by caddying at the local golf courses, carrying 2 bags with an unlimited number of golf clubs in the hot Arizona sun. This was just the beginning of the work ethic that would be his way throughout life. When the war began, Charlie joined the Coast Guard and served in the Pacific. When the war ended, he left as a Chief Petty Officer and a man in love with travel. Chuck met Ruth on a golf course in Tucson, and their friendship eventually brought him to the Pacific Northwest where jobs were more plentiful. He worked at Boeing at night and taught golf at Allenmore and the 38th Street driving range in 1953. He taught golf at UPS for only a couple dollars for a complete series of lessons. In 1956 Chuck and Ruth married and began their lifelong work at Brookdale Golf Course. In that same year Charlie helped start the Tacoma Junior Golf School, which offered free golf lessons to boys and girls. In 1960 he played in the PGA Championship after qualifying at Fircrest GC, but never really pursued the playing part of golf, preferring to stay at Brookdale with Ruth and nurture their family and the business. Together they raised three children, who also grew to love golf and the world that surrounds the golfing community. In 1979, when he was retired, he bought the Nisqually Valley golf course and, together with his daughter, began a second fulfilling golf venture. In 1998, when his daughter came back to Brookdale, he did finally retire. Until his last days you could still find him up at the driving range giving free golf lessons to anyone with a desire to play the game. There is many a golfer that still remembers that Charlie helped them get started in golf. Chuck is survived by his children: Gregory and wife Irmi of Riverwood Golf Course, Dundee, Oregon; Christine and husband Doug Jones of Brookdale Golf Course; Doug and wife Caroline of Richmond, Virginia; also by 6 grandchildren, Thorgan, Earl, Corwin, Alexandria, Stephanie and Dominique; his brother Arthur and wife Dolly of Tucson, AZ; sister Molly and husband Ed Kierulff of Anaheim, CA; and sister Mary and husband Elton Moreno of Kauai, HI; sisters-in-law Mary Grace Delano and Beth Ashby; numerous nieces and nephews; and many, many friends who will miss him and think of him whenever they play golf. The family suggests that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Washington Junior Golf Association. Visitation will be Thursday, April 20th from 1 to 5 pm; Services will be Friday, April 21st at 2 p.m. at Fir Lane Funeral Home, with a reception to follow at Brookdale Golf Course. Pub Date: 4/19/2000 Tacoma News Tribune