We are deeply saddened to report that our good friend and long-time Republican Party activist Ray Brown has passed away. He was 64.

Ray passed away at home on Nov. 4, 2017, in Bonney Lake, Wash. of natural causes. He was cremated on Nov. 8.

Ray was born in Corvallis, Ore. His family moved to the Seattle area in 1962, settling in Des Moines, Wash. Music was a big part of his early life. He played drums in elementary school and was in a stage band at Pacific Junior High School. Ray was also active in stage, jazz, and marching bands at Mount Rainier High School. He participated in a drum and bugle baton corps marching band called the Seattle Ettes.

Ray joined the Navy after graduating from high school. He attended nuclear power school in Idaho. He later served as an electrician on the USS Oriskany, an aircraft carrier.

Following his service with the Navy, Ray worked at the Lockheed and Todd shipyards on Harbour Island in Seattle. He later moved to Grays Harbor to work at the Westport shipyard.

Ray competed on a practical pistol team in Ravensdale, Wash., earning a berth in national level competition. He also crewed on a rowing team out of Green Lake, Wash. Ray loved to fly. He was a private pilot and owned several planes.

A long-time political activist, Ray attended his first Grays Harbor Republican Party meeting in 2006. He became a party stalwart, serving in a variety of capacities including Westport Precinct Committee Officer and more recently, County State Committeeman. Ray was a frequent, perceptive presence at numerous meetings for a wide variety of civic and governmental functions.

Ray is survived by his mother, Laura Brown, and his younger, brother Kerry Brown.

A celebration of Ray’s life will be held in the Ocean Palace banquet room, 112 E. Wishkah Street, Aberdeen, at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 28.