James Victor Brown Jr.

Jun 23, 1923 -

May 10, 2021

Alaska pioneer James Victor Brown Jr. passed away peacefully on May 10, 2021, in Phoenix, Ariz. He was born in Fairbanks, Alaska, on June 23, 1923. As the fourth child, he was expected to be a playmate for his sister. When he arrived as a brother instead, his father stated, "I guess you'll just have to be my little buddy." The name stuck, and from that time on he was known as Bud.

His family loved hearing stories about his early years in Anchorage, Alaska, where the family moved in 1929. Once while riding an old clunker of a bike, Bud fell on the wooden sidewalk. While drying his tears, he looked down and found 10 dollars, a fortune in those days. He added that to his savings and was able to buy a fancy bike for $29.95 with "all the bells and whistles." As a young entrepreneur, he hunted rabbits and sold them to neighbors for a quarter apiece.

Bud left high school to apprentice as a jeweler, his trade for the rest of his life. Wanting to join the Army Air Corps, he petitioned the dean at the University of Alaska to admit him to earn his high school diploma. With diploma in hand after a semester in Fairbanks, and marrying his high school sweetheart Marie Laurie, he was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Army Air Corps and served as a flight instructor, flying everything from P-40s to bombers. The war ended prior to his going overseas and he often said his younger children could thank President Harry Truman that he was not a casualty of war. Aviation continued to be important throughout his life through his involvement in Civil Air Patrol, becoming a squadron commander and flying missions around the state for CAP. For his service, he was honored with induction into the Alaska Aviation Hall of Fame in 2017.

Returning to Anchorage after the war, he joined his father and brothers at J. Vic Brown and Sons Jewelers on 4th Avenue where many Alaskans purchased their wedding rings, china, crystal and other gifts. After selling the jewelry store to Zale's, Bud started wholesale gold nugget manufacturing businesses with his best friend, Ken Warburton, and later with Bill Livesay. He continued making gold nugget jewelry into his 80s, with many folks cherishing his craftsmanship in nugget necklaces, watchbands and wedding rings.

After losing Marie in 1981, Bud married Hazel Sandland. They enjoyed nearly 40 years of adventures, with winters in Kona, Hawaii, and later in Scottsdale, Ariz., and summers on the Seldovia boardwalk. His family marveled at his strength of mind and body with daily walks and pool pull-ups at 95. When asked how he was he'd remark, "I feel like a million bucks" or "Not bad for an old guy."

He leaves his wife, Hazel; children, J.V. (Toni) Brown, Debby (Jack) Sedwick, Dawn (Paul) Wilcox, Mark (Jennie) Sandland, Steve Sandland and Greg Sandland; 13 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; and his beloved furry companion, Chocolate Chip. At his request, no service will be held. You may choose to remember him when you savor one of his favorites: a rare steak, a soft cookie or a strawberry milkshake.