In memory of

Harry "Wayne" Wayne Brown, III

Gunnison, CO

1951 - May 27, 2024

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In memory of

Harry "Wayne" Wayne Brown, III

Passed

May 27, 2024
Born

1951
Resided

Gunnison, CO

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Please consider a donation to Support Wayne's Family.

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Wayne was a Vietnam-vet, stay at home father who cared deeply about his family and community. He always made the best snacks for snack day and exuberantly attended school events and drove busses for school activities. He taught his daughters to collect snakes and bugs and appropriately ID them at a young age-- instilling his love for nature in them early. Inbetween caring for his daughters, he headed up the Galloping Goose #5 restoration project and worked various technical, engineering, and drafting jobs. He built his family's home wearing flip flops and 80's shorts and asked a lady to be his building partner. He was an advid sailor and even tried his hand at ranching. He was quick to respond when his young adult daughters needed a hand and was a master at engineering solutions. And was sometimes the master at creating creative problems since he used alcohol to cope with his mental struggles from war. He had a jovialness that reminded you of all the good in the world and also the grave, long lasting sacrifices that our veterans make to protect our freedoms.

Prior to his life in Colorado, he worked in the gulf on engineering fire suppression systems for the oil field and was instrumental in helping to restore the Elissa tall ship in Galveston, TX. His son, Eric, was born during his US Navy service and grew up on the west coast.

He had a sudden stroke 8 1/2 years ago. At the time, the VA, Wayne's only source of health insurance, wouldn't cover the hospital or care expenses because it "wasnt service related." Krystal, then 21, was left with no option than to pay down all of his personal funds and sale his vehicle collections to get the insurance support required to admit him to a long term care and rehab facility. This required keeping his assessts below $2,000 for the remainder of his life.

Wayne surprised us all in physical therapy and learned how to walk again (something the Dr.'s said would never be a possibility because of the size of his bleed) and was starting counseling to process his mental injuries from signing up to serve 6 years in Vietnam. Unfortunately, the same trait that got him walking again and kept him going all the years prior and taking him on adventures like annual midnight New Year's sails on icy Colorado lakes, also made him reluctant to call for help when he was walking in the nursing home, and he fell just weeks after creating a discharge plan, suffering a massive TBI, 11 months after the initial stroke. He spent the next 8 years in bed with Krystal and her dogs by his side.

Krystal is a teacher and would like to pursue her masters in science education or ocean ecology. Her nephew, Eric's son, was recently diagnosed with advanced stage tongue cancer and is beginning treatment.

In leui of flowers, the family is asking for monetary donation to help support their dreams and overcome their obstacles. A bank account will be set up if you prefer to donate funds there instead.

Please add photos and stories to help us remember him and all of his adventures! Contribute

Wayne was laid to rest the old style way in a natural grave and shroud by his daughter Krystal on June 4th. Jennifer is organizing a memorial for Wayne in Galveston, TX. More details to come.