Theodore Gerald “Jerry” Brown passed away Feb. 27 at Ashley Manor in Burns from Alzheimer’s disease.

Jerry was born Aug. 16, 1938, in Redding, Calif., to Theodore and Pearl (Simmons) Brown. Jerry was the fourth of six children, with three older sisters and two younger sisters.

Jerry graduated from Shasta High School in 1956 and went to work for Pacific Telephone and Telegraph (PT&T). In 1957, he married Ann Bosworth, and they had three children, Theodore Greg, Brenda Ann, and Terry George. When he wasn’t working for PT&T, he worked for his father-in-law on his ranch outside Burney, Calif. Later, he worked for Citizens Utilities, an independent phone company. He worked out of the Burney, Susanville, and Elk Grove, Calif., districts. While working in Elk Grove, he met his second wife, Sandra, and they were married Aug. 1, 1981.

Jerry’s lifelong dream was to own and operate a cattle ranch. In April 1990, that dream became a reality when he purchased a ranch in Izee. He lived and ranched there for 21 years. His love of hunting deer and elk, and fishing in his lake on the ranch, were added bonuses.

In 2011, Jerry and Sandra sold the ranch. Then in 2013, they moved to the Burns area. Shortly thereafter, Jerry was diagnosed with Capgras syndrome and Lewy body dementia. A year later, he was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s.

Jerry is survived by his wife, Sandra of Burns; sons, Greg of Sacto., Calif., and Terry of Banks; daughter, Brenda (Chuck) Robertson of Anderson,  Calif.; stepdaughter, Amanda (Clinton) Tyler of Burns; siblings, Vecy McDonald of Redding, Calif., Ann Hemenway-Allen (Lynn) of Salem, Yvonne Richards of Somerset, Calif., and Gladys Berens of Mesa, Ariz.; seven grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Jean Crawford; and great-grandson, Theodore Gadge.

A memorial mass will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, March 17, at Holy Family Catholic Church in Burns, followed by a graveside service and a luncheon at the church.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Harney County Hospice and/or Holy Family Catholic Church in care of LaFollette’s Chapel, P.O. Box 488, Burns, OR 97720.