Charles Edwin Brown (Charley) was surrounded by family when he passed at his home in Rufus, Ore., on Dec. 4, 2020. He is survived by his beloved wife, Norma Jean Brown; his children, Lynette Mansfield, Deanna Wilson, Charles D. Brown, Jill Ehly, and Janae Trindle; sister Edna Gay Petersen; 12 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. 

Charley was born on March 24, 1934, in Powell, Wyo., and raised in Prosser, Wash. Charley served in the Navy from 1951 to 1954 aboard the USS Los Angeles. After his time in the service and marrying Norma, he made his way to Rufus in 1963. There he worked on the large public works projects and construction, including the John Day Dam and I-84 freeway. Rufus felt like home nearly immediately due to the kind neighbors and community. Charley’s arena in Rufus was a welcoming place for many people looking to learn to ride horses, rope calves, run poles, or just enjoy each other’s’ company. 

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