C. Chisholm “Chis” Brown April 6, 1913 - Aug. 6, 2010

C. Chisholm “Chis” Brown, 97, died peacefully of natural causes at his home Aug. 6, 2010. Born April 6, 1913, in Los Angeles, to the Rev. and Mrs. Grow S. Brown, Chis moved to Costa Mesa with his family in 1922 when his father was asked to be the interim pastor at the Methodist Church. In his youth Chis could be seen riding his horse around the then vacant fields of Costa Mesa.

In 1942 Chis married the love of his life, Helen Davis. They were married for 62 years when she preceded him in death in 2004. Chis and Helen were active members of the First United Methodist Church of Costa Mesa, singing in the choir for more than 60 years. They also sang for a number of years in the Pacific Chorale. During World War II Chis joined the United States Navy, attaining the rank of chief radio officer, and took part in the Pacific campaign.

In 1947 Chis and his brother-in-law, Hugh Davis, opened an appliance and television store in Costa Mesa, the Davis-Brown Co. They operated the business for over 40 years until it’s closing in 1988. Chis served on the Costa Mesa Union School District Board of Trustees for 15 years, then 12 years as a member of the Personnel Committee for the newly formed Newport Mesa Unified School District.

Chis leaves behind a sister, Miriam Larson, sister-in-law Geraldine Davis, daughter Barbara Ramos (Lee), and son Stanley (Nancy), six grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, two cousins, and five nieces and nephews. A memorial service will be held in his honor at 1 p.m. Aug. 28 at First United Methodist Church of Costa Mesa, 420 W. 19th St. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Chis’ name to the church music fund.