In Loving Memory of Garry James Brown

Garry James Brown, D.O., born September 22, 1952, in Olympia, Washington, passed away on September 19, 2026, at the age of 73 in Olympia, Washington after living with pancreatic cancer for two years.

Garry lived a life shaped by curiosity, companionship, and compassion. His dedication to learning and caring for others was reflected in his education and medical training. He was a 1970 graduate of Yelm High School. He earned a Bachelor of Pharmacy from Washington State University, a Master of Science in Radiopharmacy from the University of Southern California, and a Doctor of Osteopathy from Western University of Health Sciences, College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific. He completed his residency at Los Angeles County - University of Southern California Medical Center before beginning his career as a radiation oncologist.

Throughout his professional life, Garry cared for patients and communities, primarily in rural areas, retiring from Central Care Cancer Center in Bolivar, MO. He took great pride in bringing his background in pharmacy, nuclear pharmacy, and osteopathic medicine to his work in radiation oncology. He cared deeply for his patients and colleagues and valued the opportunity to communicate with those in his care. His compassion, dedication, and commitment to helping others were defining parts of his professional life.

Garry was a lifelong learner who remained curious about the world around him. After retirement, he enjoyed writing and traveling to places such as France and Italy. He especially loved going to Mount Rainier and visiting Reflection Lake. He looked forward to the continued development of targeted therapies, immunotherapies, and vaccines. He was grateful for the mentors who appeared throughout his life and appreciated the many opportunities to learn and grow.

For 49 years, Garry shared his life with his beloved wife, Lucy, whose encouragement and support meant so much to him. He recognized that he could not have accomplished his goals without her. Together, they built a family and a life filled with love, honesty, and laughter.

Garry was proud of his children, Sarah (Brown) Ramsden, and Jacob Brown, and took joy in seeing them grow into adulthood. His family was a source of deep meaning and gratitude, and he treasured the people they became.

Garry is survived by his wife, Lucy Patterson Brown; his daughter, Sarah Ramsden (Scott), his son, Jacob Brown; and his sisters, Joann Brown, Susie Walsh (Steve), and Patricia (Brown) Trusty.

He was preceded in death by his parents, James Brown and Dorothy Brown; his sister, Sharon Brown Kabanuck; and his brother, Michael Brown.

Garry will be remembered for his curiosity, compassion, dedication to caring for others, laugh, sense of humor, love of coffee (with cream!), and the lasting impact he made on his family, friends, patients, and colleagues. His legacy lives on through the people he loved, the lives he touched, and the many ways he contributed to the world around him.

The family would like to thank his medical team at the Cancer Center at Virginia Mason Franciscan Health for care over the past two years and Providence St. Peter Hospital for care during his final days.

Garry was very kind. His colleague and friend, Ahmad Alkhatib, PhD, medical physicist used to say, “You are very kind, Dr. Brown. We just don’t know WHAT kind.”

He will be deeply missed, forever loved, and always remembered.

A memorial service will be announced at a later date.