Chris Lee Brown died in his home on Jan. 31 in Oak Harbor at the age of 67.

Chris Brown was born on May 19, 1949, in San Gabriel, Calif. He joined the U.S. Navy in 1967 following high school and served as an Aviation Electronics Technician on the A-6 and EA-6B aircraft, retiring in 1998 as a Chief Petty Officer. Following retirement from the Navy, Chris worked as a civil servant for Naval Aviation Technical Data and Engineering Service Center at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island from 2002 to 2012.

Chris Brown loved life and lived it on his own terms. He exemplified the moniker of Chief Petty Officer and was as salty as they come. Always available to help a friend in need and a role model to his children, he will be greatly missed. In his words, “When I go, don’t mourn my death but rather celebrate my life….after all, I lived the hell out of it!”

Chris is survived by his son Jason of Marietta, Pa.; daughter Rhonda of Vancouver, Wash.; grandchildren, Melissa, Kayla, Gavin and Delaney; and great-grandchildren, Shyonna, Jonah and Makenzie.

A memoriam will be held from 3-8 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 11, at 2042 Doe Drive in Oak Harbor. A graveside service will be held at 1 p.m. Monday, Feb. 13, at Tahoma National Cemetery in Kent, Wash. All who knew him are welcome to attend.

Family asks that in lieu of flowers donations be made to the Wounded Warrior Project online at https://woundedwarriorproject.org

Arrangements are entrusted to Wallin Funeral Home, Oak Harbor.