It is with great sadness to share that one of our Brothers of West Gate Lodge #128 has been called to the Celestial Lodge, not made with hands. We may be a bit late in reporting the news as it was just reported to us, but a good day to share would be the day he was brought in this world. Happy Birthday dear Brother
Please find VWB Jim E Brown’s Masonic Scroll.
Pulled from his Obituary in The Bellingham Herald:
Lynden, Washington – James (Jim) was born on 10/18/1931 in Burdett Kansas. His family lived on a
farm and farmed through the depression years. He received a degree in Agriculture from Fort Hays State
University where he met the love of his life Moyne W Wehe. They married in 1953. He became interested in engineering and received a degree in Electrical Engineering at Kansas State University. They had two
children, Cyd Bishop (Browne) and Barry Browne. In 1960 they moved the family to Lexington Park,
Maryland where he worked for the United States Navy. He obtained his Master’s Degree in Electrical
Engineering from the University of Maryland. He started a 24 year career with the Boeing Company and
moved the family to Bellevue, Washington in 1969. He never lost his farming roots, there was always a
vegetable garden wherever he lived. He and Moyne moved to Lynden, Washington in 1995 where they
lovingly tended a large vegetable garden and had a small forest with a walking trail for “Silence &
Meditation”.
Jim had three passions in his life, his family, his faith and his involvement with the Masonic Fraternity. He
was a loving, supporting husband to Moyne and father to his children. He loved to visit with his brother,
grandchildren, nieces and nephews and other extended family. He and Moyne traveled in the US & Mexico during their retirement years, combing trips with family visits. He and Moyne were lifelong members of the United Methodist Church. They served the church in every community they lived in. Both had a deep and abiding faith in God and lived their faith. Jim first joined the Masonic Lodge in Jetmore, Kansas as a young man. Throughout his life he valued the relationships and brotherhood of the Lodge. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge and several other Masonic organizations including the Grand Lodge of Washington throughout his life.
Jim passed away on 06/22/2022 at home in Lynden Manor with his children present. He is predeceased by his wife Moyne W Browne; brothers, Richard Browne, Frederick Browne & Sidney G. Browne; grandson
Tyler Ford & niece Rebecca Browne.
He is survived by his children Cyd Bishop (Dennis) & Barry Browne (Dana); grandchildren Emily Browne,
Krysta Ford & Scott Bishop, two sister-in-Laws, many nieces & nephews and other extended family who
loved him.
Jim’s family would like to express their gratitude for the love and care that Jim received during his 11 year
residence at Lynden Manor, and to Whatcom Hospice for their care in the last days of his life.
Services will be held at the Ferndale Masonic Lodge, 5638 3rd Ave, Ferndale, WA 98248,
on Sunday July 17th at 2pm.
Memorial donations can be made to the James Browne Excellence Fund in Agriculture at Fort Hays State
University. www.foundation.fhsu.edu/donate; select designation “other”, type in James Browne.
https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/bellinghamherald/name/james-browne-obituary?id=35662977