Barry Brown Taught Us To “Look Over the Edge”

Barry Brown, one of the founders of FOVEC and a lifelong advocate for Fair Oaks, passed away May 19, 2022, at his home, looking out at his beloved trees and garden.

For the past fifty years, Barry Brown was one of the “usual suspects” in community service in Fair Oaks, according to his friend, Ralph Carhart. What Ralph meant by that remark is that Barry was one of the movers and shakers in Fair Oaks, working tirelessly to improve our community. As he worked on countless projects over decades, Barry earned the respect and friendship of his fellow “suspects” with whom he worked behind the scenes. Because Fair Oaks is not a city and doesn’t have staff to oversee our needs, Barry Brown and other community-minded people filled that gap. One of the early projects Barry helped spearhead was the children’s concrete play platform at Plaza Park, which had games painted on it. The concrete pad also ended up serving as a dance floor during concerts. The playground is an excellent example of Barry’s dedication to the community. He saw the need for a children’s place to play, raised the money, and worked with other leaders in our community to complete it.

Barry believed we are all called to take care of the earth, and we all have a responsibility to do something to help maintain where we live. Barry also loved the outdoors and took long trips into the wilderness. Barry felt there was magic with nature we had to respect. Volunteering was one way he contributed, and he was never afraid to speak up to do good, even though there were times he was in the minority. Barry stood up for his beliefs. He also went his own way if he felt he could do something to enhance the community where he lived. He saw volunteering as an opportunity and responsibility for all of us to do our share. Barry and his wife Eleanor’s three sons love the outdoors and its challenges. Barry taught his sons and their friends to “look over the edge” for something they could do, experience, or contribute. Barry never took the easy way out. He always did his homework

Barry’s wife Eleanor says her family was stunned by their son’s friends, “young” people in their 50s Barry influenced over the years who wrote notes to let the family know of the respect they had for Barry because he walked the walk; he didn’t just talk it. He always reminded them that when they had a responsibility, they should follow through with that with no excuses.

Barry always had a purpose when he was volunteering. He wasn’t just filling time or adding to his resume. After active military service, he served in the national guard for 27 years. That was another way he could contribute. Barry was also the longest-serving director on the Fair Oaks Water District Board of Directors. He served for twenty-five years. People who worked with Barry said he was the consummate professional in every project he touched. Everything was well thought out to perfection, whether it came to his work on the water board, projects in the community, or his own home. Barry was a detail person, and people who worked with Barry think of him as very meticulous, a true gentleman, and firm but reasonable. Barry knew how to present his input in a good way and back it up, and compromise when he didn’t prevail.

Another project Barry and Ralph worked on with Hugh Gorman, Marty Maskell, and other “usual suspects” created the Fair Oaks Donor Plaza. The Plaza commemorates those who contributed to a project to purchase the bluffs over the American River near the Fair Oaks Bridge. Barry and his committee got the street blocked off with bollards, put in a river rock seating wall, memorial plaque, drinking fountain, and lights, along with information displays we can all enjoy for a long time as we take in the beauty of the American River landscape we love.

Barry, Margaret Mead would have been proud of you. We’ll keep “looking over the edge” for ways we can contribute to our sweet Fair Oaks life.

Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.

...Margaret Mead - Cultural Anthropologist, 1901 to 1978

https://www.oldfairoaksvillage.com/post/spotlight-on-barry-brown