Ronald George Brown, 53, of Rapid River

[Stan]

RAPID RIVER - Ronald George Brown, 53, of 13876 S 15 Road, Rapid River, died Thursday, March 18, 2010, at Marquette General Hospital under the care of Lake Superior Hospice.

He was born on Jan. 9, 1957, in Loma Linda, Calif., and was the son of George and Margaret (Youngs) Brown. As a young child Ron moved to Rapid River. He attended school in Perkins and was a member of the graduating Class of 1975.

Following his graduation from high school, he continued his education at Bay de Noc Community College and then took over the family business, Brown's Saw & Mill. Ron became the owner/operator of the sawmill and continued there for over 32 years until his illness no longer permitted him to.

Ron first met the love of his life, the former Pauline Gagnon, at Camp Sagola Seventh-day Adventist Church Camp. On June 26, 1977, they were united in marriage in Houghton

For many years Ron continued to attend Camp Sagola as a camp director. He was a member of the Riverside Seventh-day Adventist Church were he served as elder, head deacon, and Bible study teacher.

He is survived by his wife, Pauline of Rapid River; daughters, Kristy Sue Brown of Chattanooga, Tenn., Jewel (Ben) Richards of Rapid River, Rhonda Brown of Dayton, Ohio; grandchildren, Jasmine and Kalvin Richards; and extended family in California.

He was preceded in death by his parents, George and Margaret Brown.

Visitation will be held on Sunday, March 21, 2010, at the Rapid River Lodge (Dutch Mill) from 2 to 3 p.m.

Funeral services celebrating the life of Ronald George Brown will follow at 3 p.m. with Pastors Jess Nephew, Ilko Tchacarov, and Mike Wise officiating.

Burial will be in the Riverside Cemetery.

A luncheon will be served at the Rapid River Lodge following the burial.

Those wishing to make memorials in Ronald's honor are kindly asked to direct donations to the family to be forwarded to the Bangla Hope Orphanage.