John Larrabee Brownlee

John Larrabee “Larry” Brownlee, 65, of Okanogan, WA. died suddenly November 27, 2022. Larry was born January 31, 1957 in Brewster, WA to Phil & Joan Brownlee. He was so happy when his family moved from Pasco back to Pateros when in was in junior high so he could work in the orchards and have animals. This was when he actually started his lifetime career as a farmer. He graduated from Pateros High School in 1975. He was a FFA State Farmer and an American Farmer. He attended Wenatchee Valley College. He bought his first hayfields in Monse. It was there his “Hayfield Romance” began with Tara Sturges. They were married on June 20, 1981 in Pateros at his grandparents home. Larry raised Blue Roan Horses for over 40 years. He loved trail rides and packing into the mountains. He attended the Omak Stampede since he was in high school and was proud of his box seats with the Blue Roan Horse Ranch sign. He loved to share them with his family and friends. Larry was an avid lifelong skier. He loved skiing all over Washington state. He skied in Colorado and Europe on family trips. One day he helicopter skied in the Cascade Mountains and waterskied on the Columbia River that same afternoon. He was a member of the Loup Loup Ski Patrol for 34 years. He was captain for many years. He was so looking forward to teaching his grandkids to ski this year. Larry had a meat shop for many years and was a highly sought-after butcher. He was in the process of building his own shop. He loved to share meat samples with you and help you pick out some great cuts of meat. He was one of the “Ride to Rendezvous” cooks for several years on their wagon trail trek from the Chiliwist to the Winthrop 49ers Parade. Reading and learning about local history were some of Larry’s hobbies. His family would always take the scenic route and stop and read every single historical marker along the way. Over the years, Larry was a member of the Okanogan County Fair Board, a member of the Cattlemen’s Association where he was president a time or two, and the Buzz Berne Gunfighters Gang during local town celebrations. Larry was an American farmer doing what he loved to do. A farmer is a jack of all trades and that was Larry. You have to be able to figure out and fix things as needed. He could fix just about anything with bailing wire and a fencing tool. Larry is survived by his wife of 41 years, Tara Brownlee; his parents, Phil and Joan Brownlee of Pateros: his sister Diane (Mike) Hull, Pateros, his brother, Doug (Betty) Brownlee of Seattle; his daughters, Desirae Brownlee (Stefan McIntyre) of Seattle, and Rachael (Lance) Dial of Pateros. Larry loved his grandchildren and loved spending time with them. They are Kendra Dial, Lilyann Dial, Reagan Dial, Jaymes Dial, and Adalade McIntyre. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends. If you knew Larry, you were his friend. A ”Celebration of Life” for Larry will be held in early summer. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Loup Loup Ski Foundation, PO Box 1187, Twisp, WA 98856.

John Larrabee Brownlee

January 31, 1957 - November 27, 2022