Donald Louis Brown Sr.

Donald Louis Brown Sr., 82, of Polson, MT peacefully passed away on September 27, 2017 surrounded by his family. Don, the eldest of seven children, born to Thomas W. and Dorothy M. (Morigeau) Brown Sr. on May 6, 1935, in St. Ignatius, MT.

Don, a member of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes, began school in Ronan then attended Bremerton Dewey Junior High School from there moved onto boarding school, Oglala Community High School, in Pine Ridge, SD. He returned home to play football for the Ronan Chiefs. In 1954 Don joined the Navy, attended boot camp in San Diego, CA. From here he was stationed in Japan, Alaska and made a quick stop in Hawaii aboard the USS Eldorado. Don was Honorably Discharged in 1958 as an E-3 Seaman.

In 1960 he met his Pocahontas, Elizabeth St. John. Don and his friend attended a dance at the San Francisco American Indian Center where he laid eyes on some girls across the way, turned to his friend and said “I get the short one.” A month later they were married. Exactly!!! Nine months later they started their beautiful family of five.

Don, a loving husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, is survived by his wife of 57 years, Elizabeth A. (St. John) Brown. Five children, Elmer(Peggy), Bothell WA; Donna(Art) Lafferty, Polson MT; Donald Jr., Polson MT, Gina(Carla), Polson MT; Jennifer, Polson MT. Brothers Bob(Donna), Ronan MT; Jerry, Polson MT; and sister Nancy (Pete) Vaughn, Charlo MT. Grandchildren Dawn (Josh) Griffin, Polson MT; Danielle (Tony) Keller, Seattle WA; Whitney (Bo) Brown-Bourdon, Polson MT; Erik, Tacoma WA; Charla (Trenton) Brown-Kirkaldie, Hays MT; Bryan Yazzie, Polson MT; Riane, Olympia, WA; Natasha Lafferty, Polson MT; Josh, Polson MT; Marcus (Cree) Morigeau, Polson MT; Trisha (Juan) Mahkuk, Polson MT; as well as many loving nieces, nephews, great grandchildren, and extended family.

Donald Brown Sr. is preceded in death by his parents; Tom and Dorothy Brown, four brothers, Thomas Jr., Philip, Edward, Lyle (Chey) and grandson Baby Boy Lafferty.

Traditional wake services held, 5:00 pm, Friday, September 29, 2017 at Polson Indian Senior Center. Funeral services will be at 10:00 am, Monday, October 2, 2017 at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Polson, MT. Interment with military honors will follow at Lakeview Cemetery. Following the funeral services, a meal will be provided at the Catholic Church.