Camper Suffocates in Van After Falling Asleep by Charcoal Grill
A camper suffocated after falling asleep near a charcoal grill lit inside his van during a weekend trip, authorities said Wednesday.
Attendants at San Clemente State Beach found the body of Vern R. Brown, 57, of San Clemente, on Tuesday near the shore, according to coroner’s deputy Lorence J. Esslinger. Brown, a hairdresser, was on one of his regular overnight camping trips, according to family members.
Brown, who had been working for Carlisle’s Hair since 1986, moved to San Clemente in 1965. His hobbies included collecting cars and breeding bulldogs. Brown was active in the Laguna Beach Festival of Arts’ Pageant of the Masters, in which he once portrayed the crucified Christ, and also was active in the Great Autos of Yesteryear car club, said Lee Brown, his brother.
Marvin Cron, Brown’s brother-in-law, said, “He was a very giving individual, an always-there-for-you kind of individual.”
Brown was born in Great Falls, Mont., and served in the Army in Germany during the late 1950s.
He is survived by a life partner, William L’Heureux; his mother, Jean E. Brown, of Orange; a brother, Lee Brown, of Los Angeles; two sisters, Carolyn Cron and Janet Chute, both of Orange; and six nieces and two nephews.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at Lesneski Mortuary, 640 S. El Camino Real, San Clemente.
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