James Edward Brown

James "Jim" Edward Brown, 87, of Skamokawa Valley, WA, passed away on March 23, 2025, surrounded by loved ones. He was born on September 22, 1937, in Siloam Springs, AR, to Mack and Minnie (Logston) Brown, the sixth of fourteen children. 

Jim was raised in the Ozark country of Cincinnati, AR. He enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps at 15. He served from 1956 to 1959 as a proud Marine MP during the Korean War, stationed at Camp Pendleton and Hawthorne, NV.

 Following his military service, Jim became a bull rider and rode at the National Finals Rodeo when it was still held in Oklahoma City, OK. He then pursued a career as a jockey and trainer, spending 25 years in the horse racing industry. His passion for the sport was evident in the five albums of win pictures he eagerly shared. He traveled the country, from Ocala, FL, to Tacoma, WA, and achieved the pinnacle of his career by riding at Churchill Downs. 

At 33, Jim met Linda J. Todd-Paulsen, and they married on August 7, 1968. He worked as a jockey and trainer for Dick and Jeanne Paulsen-Dallum around the Centennial Racetrack settling in Brighton, CO, where he continued to train and ride. Together, he and Linda raised two sons, Richard "Reb" and Ray, sharing 52 years on their farm northeast of Brighton. 

Jim's career as a jockey ended when he suffered a near-fatal accident, breaking his neck in a race at the Monta Vista track. He then transitioned to electrical work, wiring homes throughout the Brighton-Denver area for 15 years. In addition, he took great pride in raising quality show hogs, a passion he shared with his grandsons as they followed in his footsteps as showmen. 

After retiring and selling the farm, Jim and Linda lived in Laramie, WY, for four years before moving to Norman, OK, where he enjoyed reconnecting with his Ozark roots. Following Linda's passing in 2020, Jim moved to Skamokawa Valley, WA, where he spent his remaining years riding his golf cart with a trusty side kick blue heeler, Koda, on "his" mountain. 

Jim was an avid sports fan, never missing a Denver Broncos or Denver Nuggets game. He balanced his love for sports with his lifelong enthusiasm for horse racing. A devoted Marine, he loved sharing stories of his service and took pride in hosting annual hog roasts. 

A storyteller, animal lover, and sports fanatic, Jim was truly dynamite in a small package. His charisma and presence left a lasting impression on everyone he met. He loved meeting people. 

Jim is preceded in death by his wife, Linda J. Todd-Paulsen; his parents, Mack and Minnie Bell (Logston) Brown; siblings Charles Brown, Leonard Brown, Maxine Daywood, Betty Wright, Lorene Desque, Robert Brown, Irene Sykes, Mary Brown, and three infant siblings; Elmer, George and Evelyn Brown. 

He is survived by his sons, Richard "Reb" (Jamie) Brown of Skamokawa, WA, and Ray Brown of Oklahoma; grandchildren Richard D. (Nicole) Brown of Laramie, WY; Tyler M. Becker of Belfield, ND; Kaine E. (Lauren) Brown of Southwest Harbor, ME; Kason A. (Greta) Brown of Brighton, CO; Ashley (Dalton) Becker of Rossville, KS; and Kolby Brown of Oklahoma; 10 great-grandchildren; sister Reetha (Mike) Augustine of TX; brother Cecil Brown of TX; several nieces and nephews, as well as his special friends Will and Debbie Austin of Norman, OK. 

A service to honor Jim’s life will be held at a later date in Oklahoma. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hero Expeditions Veterans Assistance at heroexpeditions.org. 

Jim will be deeply missed but fondly remembered by all who had the privilege of knowing him.