John Edward 'Ed' Brown, 76

John Edward "Ed" Brown, 76, passed away on Monday, May 10, 2004, in Coeur d'Alene.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, May 15, 2004, at Coffelt's Moon Chapel with Dale Coffelt officiating. Burial will be at Pinecrest Memorial Park.

Ed was born on May 16, 1927, in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, the son of Reginald and Grace (Weldon) Brown. He grew up and attended schools in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, where he also graduated from Westdale Academy.

Ed served with the Canadian Army Band in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, during World War II. He went on to attend college in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, where he received degrees in education and business administration.

Ed married Margie Grant on May 12, 1950, in Dundas, Ontario, Canada.

In 1953, Ed and his family moved to Ontario, Calif., where with his wife Margie, he operated Ed Brown's Music Store for more than 25 years. He was a leader and sideman of many bands, playing the drums. He sold his business in 1975 and moved to Spokane, Wash., owning and operating Professional Drum Center.

Ed moved to Sagle in 1994 and had played the drums for many local bands, including the Swing Street Big Band. He was a member of the Elks Lodge BPOE No. 1376 in Sandpoint for 29 years. Ed was an instrumental part in working at the Bonner County Fairgrounds on the construction of a band shell for the community.

Ed was the author of a percussion equipment repair manual, which is used in shops, schools and universities throughout the world.

Ed is survived by his loving wife of 54 years, Margie Brown of Sagle; a daughter, Marcy (Terry) Nordeen of Sagle; a son, Jeffrey (Lisa) Brown of Kent, Wash.; five grandchildren, Ondrea (Dave) Kidd of Coeur d'Alene, Rochelle (Dave) Ryan of Santa Monica, Calif., Anthony Hamilton of Kent, Calena Herring of Kent and Melanie Herring of Kent; three great-grandchildren, Silas, Savannah and Liliahna Kidd; a brother, Gordon Brown of Hamilton, Ontario, Canada; and a sister, Eileen Bridgeman of Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.

Ed was preceded in death by his parents.

Memorials may be made in his honor to the Bonner County Fairgrounds Band Shell Project, c/o Panhandle State Bank.

Arrangements are under the care of Coffelt Funeral Service of Sandpoint.