Astoria

Nov. 23, 1932 — Jan. 24, 2024

Frederick Warren Wong Brown, 91, of Astoria, passed away on Jan. 24.

Fred was born on Nov. 23, 1932, to Jue Shee and Kee Wong Brown in Astoria. He grew up in a large family of two sisters and five brothers. His family’s work was centered on the salmon canning industry, which was central to the Chinese community at the time in Astoria.

Fred served three years in the National Guard during his high school years and, upon graduation from Astoria High School, enlisted in the U.S. Air Force, serving four years as an airplane mechanic.

He went on to study at Portland State University for two years, eventually graduating from Oregon State University in 1962 with a bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering. He and his brothers Phillip, Richard, Calvin and Tom still hold the record for the most graduates in one family from the Oregon State University College of Engineering.

After graduating, he started his first job at Boeing as an industrial engineer, and then worked at Rocketdyne in Southern California on gyros for the NASA space shuttle that landed on the moon in 1969.

He and his family eventually moved back to the Pacific Northwest and lived in Portland. Fred worked as a manufacturing engineer for several companies in the Portland area for the remainder of his career, retiring in 1994. He spent most of his retirement in Astoria.

Outside of his career, Fred coached Little League softball from 1974 to 1982, coaching his last team (his daughter Alison’s senior softball team) to second place in the 1982 Little League World Series.

He was a lifelong hobbyist, working with stained glass and building and flying radio-controlled model airplanes. He was a member of the Lower Columbia R/C Society in Astoria.

Fred could fix anything, loved his cars and exercised regularly to stay healthy. In retirement, he especially enjoyed spending time on the Astoria Riverwalk, walking and greeting friends along the way, or simply sitting on his favorite bench, gazing at the mighty Columbia River.

He liked playing slot machines at the casinos in the company of his siblings and/or grown children.

Fred was easy-going and enjoyed a simple life. His brothers were his best friends, and he enjoyed spending time with his extended family, including sisters, nieces and nephews, as well as children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Fred is survived by his wife of 29 years, Debbra; and four children (from previous marriages); eight grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. The children are Jeff (Kathryn) Modun, Michael Brown, Tracey Brown and Alison (Don) Lovell; grandchildren are Nicholas (Amy) Modun, Justine (Avery) Amberson, Thomas Shanklin, Aaron Brown, Roxana Daliana, Eva Daliana, Alex Lovell and Olivia (Zack) Robinson; and great-grandchildren are Bijoux Ciasullo and Noah Robinson.

Survivors also include ex-wife, Marilyn Brown; sister, Mabel (George) Mendoza; sister-in-law, Agnes Brown; and many nieces and nephews.

Fred was preceded in death by his brothers, Yen Wong, Phillip Brown, Richard Wong, Calvin Brown and Tom Wong; and sister, Betty Wong Miller.

The interment will be at Willamette National Cemetery in Portland. No public service will be held.