John Edward Brown

Longtime Alaska resident John “Johnny” Edward Brown died Aug. 28, 2013, in Archdale, N.C.

He was born June 12, 1935, in Cabool, Mo., to Frank and Arlene “Dodie” Brown. A full obituary was printed in the Anchorage Daily News.

John graduated from Palmer High School in 1953, married his high school sweetheart, Barbara Kindgren and they raised three children together.

In 1985 he married Lorinda Robinson and they made their home on the shores of Big Lake. John founded Alaskan Chalets while working for the state Department of Transportation.

John was passionate about hunting, fishing, boating, snowmachining and sports — especially basketball. There was nothing John loved and cherished more than spending time with family. John and Lorinda moved to Yuma, Ariz., to care for John’s mother. In 2009 they moved to North Carolina to be close to family.

Surviving are his wife of 28 years, Lorinda; children, Kerry Brown (husband Hillel Levanon) of Anchorage, John Brown (wife Deb Haynes) of Wasilla, and Shannon Cochran of Spokane, Wash.; stepson, Scott Robinson of Archdale, N.C.; his first wife, Barbara Brown; grandchildren, Jamie Cripps, Shane Austin, Ayla Brown, Leisl Brown, Haley Cochran and Devin Robinson; and great granddaughter, Esme Austin.

A celebration of life is at 7 p.m., Oct. 11 at Mat-Su Central School, 600 East Railroad Ave, Wasilla. John’s ashes will be spread at Big Lake.