Richard Sumner Brawn

Richard Sumner Brawn, 90, of Yoncalla, Oregon, passed away surrounded by his family and love on May 11, 2023. Richard was born in Yoncalla, Oregon on April 26, 1933 to Sumner Wallace and Dorothy Elizabeth (McKaig) Brawn. Richard started working at Yoncalla Lumber Co. as a Planer Feeder shortly before enlisting with the Army. Richard received training at The Southwestern Signal School in Camp San Luis Obispo in California majoring as a Powerman and received the National Defense Service Medal. He served his country for 3 years before entering the Army Reserve for 8. Shortly after returning to Yoncalla he fell head-over-heels in love with Sheryl Ann Wheeler. They married soon after on May 29, 1959 at the Drain Church of Christ and started a family of their own which included four children, David, Beverly, Robert, and Duane. Richard started working at Weyerhaeuser in Cottage Grove, Oregon where he spent the next 32 years. During this time he also graduated from Lane Community College in 1994 receiving an Associate’s degree. After retiring from Weyerhaeuser, Richard, worked at a Machine shop for a little over a year before finally fully retiring and spending his time upkeeping the land he had been born and raised on. He enjoyed hunting the hills around the family farm and eating the fruits of his labor. You could also find Richard cutting wood and feeding the wood stove in this warm and comfy home. His family, friends and those in Yoncalla also knew Richard for his building skills with barns and shops. With the last few years of nasty snow, ice and winds, Richard was very proud to see his buildings still standing strong! Richard is survived by his wife of 64 years Sheryl Ann (Wheeler) Brawn; children David (Monica) Brawn of Albuquerque, NM, Beverly (Steve) Baimbridge of Oakland, OR, Robert (Carrie) Brawn of Springfield, OR, and Duane Brawn of Springfield, OR; two grandchildren Heather (John) Haller, Justin (Aimee) Jackson; and 6 great-grandchildren Noah Coulombe, Calvin Haller, Micah Haller, Duke Jackson, Piper Jackson, and Isla Jackson. Richard is preceded in death by both his parents Sumner and Dorothy Brawn and sister Lorena Jean Brawn. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, May 20, 2023 at 11:30 am at the Drain Church of Christ 401 2nd St, Drain, OR 97435. An inurnment will follow at Yoncalla Cemetery at a later date. Arrangements in the care of Smith-Lund-Mills Funeral Chapel and Crematorium.