Obituaries: Robert John Brass

PORTLAND – Robert J. Brass, 47, died Dec. 5, 2008, in Portland. He was born Aug. 15, 1961, in Portland to Robert J. Brass and Lois Brass. He spent his youth in Cedar Mill, Ore., where he attended Cedar Mill Elementary, Meadow Park Jr. High and Sunset High School.

After working in agriculture and fishing industries, he found success in landscape development and management. In 1986, John married Karen Irvine and became a father to her young son Jason. Their family grew with the birth of Robert Jr. (Bobby) in 1986 and Zack in 1988.

After several years in Westfir, Ore., Mr. Brass brought his family to live in Ocean Park in 2002 where he began working with local nurseries and landscapers in the area. In recent years, he was best known for his expertise in landscapes and hardscapes that he designed all around Pacific County and the Northern Oregon coast as owner and sole proprietor of Big John’s Landscapes. His legacy of landscape artistry can be seen at more than 100 homes and businesses up and down the coast from Cannon Beach to Surfside.

Mr. Brass was a true lover of nature and the outdoors. From shooting with either guns or camera to walking the beaches, hiking in meadows and camping in forests, he was happiest when surrounded by the beauty of nature. He was a friend to all who knew him, helping those in need even through his own times of hardship. He will be missed greatly by his many friends and associates.

He and his family had moved to Elsie, Ore., just two months prior to his death.

“Big John” Brass was taken from us – his family, friends and this world – after being stricken by a brain aneurysm within minutes of ending his hunting season in the mountains near Elsie, Ore., on the day before Thanksgiving. He never regained consciousness. By the grace of God, as he moves on to his next great adventure, he takes the joy, exhilaration and vision of dropping his quarry. With one clean shot, he got his elk.

Survivors include his wife, Karen Brass of Elsie, Ore.; his sons, Jason Irvine-Brass and his wife, Julee of Springfield, Ore., Marine Lance Corporal Robert John Brass Jr. recently of Ocean Park on leave from deployment in Iraq and Zack Brass of Elsie, Ore.; his mother, Lois Brass of Ocean Park; his sisters, Christine Brass of Tacoma, Vickie Tennant and her husband Steve of Mandeville, La., and Roberta Kozinski and husband of Dave of Plano, Texas; grandchildren, Aravis and Emory Irvine-Brass of Springfield, Ore.; his mother in law, Ruth Updike and her extended family of Elsie, Ore.; an uncle, Bill Brass of Lakeside Mont., as well as several nieces and nephews and their families. His father preceded him in death.

The family asks all who knew him through family, as friends, clients and as business associates to join them in a service of remembrance on Saturday, Dec. 13 at 10 a.m. at Ocean Park Lutheran Church at 24002 “U” Street in Ocean Park. The service of remembrance will be followed by a reception and light lunch at the church. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to the EMT Department in Elsie, Ore.

Cremation by Autumn Mortuary & Cremations in Tigard, Ore.