Obituary of Dean Christian Brown

Dean passed away unexpectedly from a heart attack. He will be greatly missed. Dean was born in Camden, New Jersey and came to Santa Cruz when he was 10. He graduated from Soquel High School in 1981, where he excelled on the swim team. Dean and wife Kerry met on a blind date and were married in 1987. They have a lovely daughter, Laura. Laura and her Dad had a very special relationship. Every year, Laura and Dean went to Yosemite together, just the two of them. Dean just celebrated his 50th birthday. His family feels blessed that friends and family were able to celebrate with him. Dean worked at Arctic Glacier for 33 years. He was distribution manager and a great boss. In addition to his wife and daughter, Dean is survived by his mother and father in-law, Jim and Deanna Musler, who said it was an honor to have him as a member of the family; sister-in-law Darlene Gardner; father, Walter Brown; sister, Audrey; brother, Eric; and nephew, Ryan. He was predeceased by his mother, Shirley Bentzely Brown. Dean was a kindhearted man, who loved his family and had a special place in his heart for animals. He was a man of great strength, tremendous loyalty and blessed with common sense. Always easy to talk to, ready to help anybody at a moment's notice, he was optimistic and always looked on the bright side. Dean and his family decided to donate his organs so his death may give life to others. A Memorial Mass for Dean will be held on Thursday, Oct. 4 beginning at 11 am at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Capitola. Donations may be made in Dean's name to Castle Air Museum in Atwater, Ca.