Obituary: Milton A Brown III

Former Juneau resident Milton A. Brown, III, 66, passed away after an illness in Palm Springs, CA, on Feb. 11, 2025.

Milton A Brown, III.

Milt was born in 1958 in the West Point Military Academy Hospital, as the nearby Air Force base where his father, Milt Jr., was stationed did not have a maternity ward. After Milt Jr. completed his Air Force service, the family, with mother Wanda and older sister Joan, moved to Trinidad, CO, for Milt Jr.’s further education. Upon graduation, the family, now with newborn brother David, drove the Alcan in Spring 1961 to Juneau where Milt Jr. had accepted a job with Art Skinner on Seward Street.

The parents divorced in the late 1960s, and mom moved the three children to Lehigh Acres, FL for a year, Shelby, NC for two years and then to Auburn, WA. Milt spent his senior year of high school in Chugiak, AK, and graduated from Chugiak Senior High School in 1976. He attended the University of Washington and graduated from Oregon State University in Corvallis with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in 1984. He received his Master’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Alaska Southeast in 1990.

Milt had a very successful career in mortgage lending, working at National Bank of Alaska, Alaska Federal Savings & Loan, and Wells Fargo Bank. He was very involved in the Mortgage Women’s group, attending meetings around the country and serving as President. He was also a loan officer for the Alaska Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development.

Milt’s health took a turn for the worse in the early 2000’s and he moved to St. Augustine, FL, with his mother and brother. Later, the three of them relocated to Spokane Valley, WA. He later moved to Surprise, AZ, where he lived with his former boss and great friend, Karen King. He ultimately moved to Desert Hot Springs, C,A in 2011, where he resided until his death.

Milt was an excellent cook and loved cooking elaborate meals to share with friends and family. He was never happier than when surrounded by friends enjoying meals he prepared. He had a lifelong appreciation of design and art. He collected art with herons as the subject. He also always loved gardening. He had a large plumeria, amaryllis, jasmine, and nasturtium garden at his Desert Hot Springs home. His nasturtiums self-seeded every year and took over his patio when in bloom. In addition, he particularly enjoyed his lemon, orange, and grapefruit trees.

Milt loved animals. He had a cat, Tiger, while in Shelby, and was thrilled (Mom, not so much) when she gave birth in the linen closet. Milt trained and showed dogs during high school and after. His first dog was a Doberman Pinscher named Mister, followed by rescue dogs Penny, Tippy and most recently, Jack.

Milt was predeceased by his father, Milt Jr., mother Wanda J. Brown, and brother David A. Brown. He is survived by his sister Joan Brown; nephew Mark Rainery; niece Adair Sonesen (Brian) and former stepmother Bonnie Elder, all of Juneau; niece Heather Long (Shawn) and family of Old Forge, PA; niece Alyssa Perez (Chris) and family of Scott Air Force Base, IL; numerous aunts, uncles, cousins and an extensive group of new and old friends. Milt will be greatly missed.

The family may be contacted via Joan Brown, 4265 Marion Drive, Juneau, AK 99801.