Edgar “Bud” Brown, longtime El Dorado County appraiser and veteran, dies at 85
Edgar David “Bud” Brown, a U.S. Army National Guard veteran, longtime El Dorado County employee and dedicated member of American Legion Post 119 in Placerville, died Oct. 9 after a battle with cancer. He was 85.
Brown, a resident of Cameron Park, spent decades serving his community, building friendships with fellow veterans and making family life a priority.
From the National Guard to El Dorado County service
Born in Texas on April 14, 1941, to James and Lucille Brown, Bud moved with his family to California when he was 6 months old. He grew up in and around Bakersfield before enlisting in the National Guard in 1963.
During his military service, Brown received a California Commendation Ribbon and became a certified rifle marksmanship instructor. He retired as an infantry platoon sergeant and remained deeply proud of his military service.
In 1979, Brown moved his family to Placerville, where he found a home in the Sierra Nevada foothills and began working as a real estate appraiser for El Dorado County.
His obituary describes the employees in the county Assessor’s Office as close friends whose company he cherished. After retiring from county employment in 2001, Brown opened his own appraisal practice and continued working from home until 2013.
A lasting commitment to fellow veterans
Brown’s service continued long after his military career ended.
An avid motorcyclist, he rode in every state and made three cross-country trips with Run for the Wall, an annual motorcycle journey associated with honoring American military veterans and remembering those missing in action and prisoners of war.
His first trip helped inspire him to join American Legion Post 119 in Placerville. There, he became deeply involved in the organization, serving as commander, chaplain, treasurer and junior shooters instructor. He also helped establish the post’s American Legion Riders group.
The American Legion’s El Dorado Post 119, located at 4561 Greenstone Road in Placerville, serves veterans and their families through fellowship and community involvement. Learn more about American Legion Post 119.
For Brown, the organization became more than a place to volunteer. Its members became an extended family, reflecting the relationships he valued throughout his life.
Family, friendship and the everyday moments
Beyond his military service and professional accomplishments, Brown was remembered for his generosity, practical knowledge and ability to connect with people of all ages.
His interests included camping, fishing, hunting, bird watching, gardening and games. He was knowledgeable about engines, history and outdoor recreation, and his family remembered him as someone who could repair nearly anything.
But his greatest pride was his family, particularly his grandchildren.
According to his obituary, Brown made every effort to attend their sporting events, club activities, plays and field trips. When they were young, he enjoyed digging in the dirt and pushing toy cars alongside them. As they grew older, he valued conversations about life.
The obituary also describes a man who understood the importance of ordinary time spent together — sitting around the table, feeding birds or running errands with family.
“He will be deeply missed and forever loved. He was the best of men,” his family wrote in the obituary.
Brown’s survivors include his wife of 33 years, Sandra; his daughter, Jennifer (Roy) Rezentes; his stepchildren, Nicole (Michael) Baradat and Justin (Larakay) Skinner; and his three grandchildren, David, Daniel and Ethan.
He was preceded in death by his son, David; his parents, James and Lucille; his sister, Jan; and his brother, Jack.
Celebration of life scheduled for Nov. 22
Family, friends and fellow veterans will gather to celebrate Brown’s life at 2 p.m. Nov. 22 at American Legion Post 119 in Placerville.
Those wishing to honor his memory may make donations to Snowline Hospice, which provides hospice and supportive care in the region.
Brown’s life connected military service, public employment, veterans’ fellowship and a deep commitment to family. In El Dorado County, his legacy will be remembered through the relationships he built and the many roles he filled — veteran, appraiser, mentor, grandfather and friend.
