… I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith … (2 Timothy 4:6-8 NIV)
After a valiant fight of more than 11 years, our beloved David went home to be with the Lord. Dave’s passion for family, friends and life was superseded only by his love for Jesus.
David was born in Coronado, Calif., on Nov. 23, 1939, to Andrew Jennings Brown, Jr. and Harriette Birkhimer Brown. He was raised in Los Angeles along with his siblings Candace, Steven, Robbin and Victoria. David graduated from Loyola High School in 1958 and then went on to receive his bachelor’s degree from Claremont McKenna College in 1962. After graduating from Claremont, Dave then attended The Wharton School of Finance and Commerce at the University of Pennsylvania and was awarded an M.B.A. in 1964.
During that time, he met and subsequently married Virginia McKay Larkin. David and Virginia made their home in northern California where they raised their three daughters Kelly, Melinda and Michelle. David’s business career began in San Francisco with Newhall Land and Farming Company, after which he spent two years with the development team of Holvick, deRegt and Koering in Palo Alto, Calif. In 1969, Dave accepted a position as regional vice president for the acquisitions team of Boise Cascade Building Company. It was this position at Boise Cascade that afforded Dave the opportunity to launch his own real estate development company, Orchard Properties, in 1973 in San Jose, Calif., where he spent the next 20-plus years. Orchard Properties became recognized as one of the foremost developers and managers in the Silicon Valley.
In May of 1993, Dave married Carol Elizabeth Hesse and began the journey of building his beloved Bootjack Ranch in Pagosa Springs, Colo. With southwestern Colorado as part of his genealogical history, Dave set out to create a place of rest, renewal and reconnection to God for friends and acquaintances who were feeling the burn out and busyness of life. Dave poured his heart, soul and creativity into the development of this beautiful 3,200-acre ranch at the base of the Wolf Creek Pass. During that time, David and Carol welcomed their two sons, David J. Brown, Jr. and Michael Sennet Brown. As David’s health challenges took hold of his body, he made the difficult decision to sell Bootjack Ranch and relocate to Phoenix, Ariz., where he received treatment for multiple myeloma at the Mayo Clinic. In true fashion, David became intensely involved in the Leadership Council at Mayo Clinic Arizona. He was passionate about the amazing network of doctors, nurses and staff and keenly interested in supporting and nurturing their spiritual and relational growth as well as their medical expertise.
David was a man of vision, passion and integrity. He was a steadfast and loyal friend, a devoted and loving father, brother and husband. He loved his Lord and Savior with all his heart. David strived to live his life pleasing to others and most importantly to God. His absence leaves an incredible hole in our hearts … but his memory will live with us forever.
David is survived by his wife, Carol E Brown; sons, David J Brown, Jr. and Michael S. Brown; daughters, Kelly B. Doucet (Robert), Melinda M. DiNapoli (John) and Michelle J. Hundley (John); grandchildren Katelyn Mollahan, Sean Mollahan, Shea Mollahan, McKenna Mollahan, Brady Mollahan, Caroline DiNapoli, Charlie DiNapoli, Catherine DiNapoli, Madden Hundley, Abigail Hundley and Lauren Hundley; former wife Virginia Larkin Bowman; sisters Candace Doud (Jim), Robbin Gardiner (Jim) and Victoria Hance (David); brother Steven K. Brown (Candy); and 13 nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 23, 2013, at Valley Presbyterian Church, 6947 E. McDonald Drive, Paradise Valley, AZ 85253.
In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that memorial gifts be designated to the Multiple Myeloma Research Fund at Mayo Clinic in Arizona. Gifts can be mailed directly to Mayo Clinic, Department of Development, 13400 East Shea Blvd., Scottsdale, AZ 85259.
