Wayne C. Brown

Wayne Clair Brown, 85, of Royal City, Wash., passed away Sept. 17, 2025. He was born June 13, 1940, in Victor, Mont., the fourth child of Harold D. Brown and Lila May Steffensen Brown. The family moved to Charlo, Mont., when Wayne was two, and he grew up there alongside his eight siblings.

After graduating from Charlo High School, Wayne served in the U.S. Air Force as a supply specialist. He married LaReva Lou Fink in 1962, and together they raised four children: Glenda, Ronda, Reid, and Rick. In the mid-1960s, they settled in the Columbia Basin of eastern Washington, where Wayne farmed and later purchased eighty acres that became the family home for 45 years.

Wayne attended what was then Central Washington State College, earning a degree in education. He taught third grade in Royal City for his entire career, retiring in 1998. In 2002, he and LaReva served a mission in Bulgaria for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Wayne remained active in his community and was devoted to his faith, family and lifelong love of learning and aviation.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, LaReva; his son, Ricky; his brother, Evan; and two younger siblings. He is survived by his children, Glenda (Kevin) Reilly, Ronda (Brad) Hirz and Reid (Jodi) Brown; his brothers, Larry and Merle; his sisters, Karen, Fay and Janet; ten grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren.

Please express your thoughts and memories for the family at kayserschapel.com. Arrangements are under the care of Kayser's Chapel of Memories.