The Paddle Out for Jack Brown

In memory of Jack Brown… I didn’t know Jack very well, I ran into him a lot while I was running…I would see him out walking every day, checking the waves. I would stop and we would chat about surfing. I once asked if I could take his portrait in black and white film, and he smiled and said, “lets do it another day”.  Jack didn’t want his photo taken…he didn’t seem to want the legend that came with him. What I DO know is that he was and is what surfing and riding the waves is all about. He is known around here for being the legendary Jack Brown, the hero to so many, the surfer that surfed as many years as he could. I’m told he surfed into his 80s. He always had a smile, so much love in his eyes. He told me once he never understood the “surfing egos” that exist out in the water. His love was purely for the waves. No rivalries, no cliques, no negativity, just being in the water and bringing others to it. I have one of Jack’s old boards which I call “Jack the wavecatcher”. I’m not sure if he would approve of all these celebrations in his honor, the fuss that was made around him, or even me showing these photos of the memorial done in his honor by the surfers of our community, but we lost a great man, and its worth mentioning.

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  • Lucille WindsorFebruary 24, 2015 - 10:36 pm

    A beautiful tribute, Jules. It sounds like Jack would have approved of the community coming together-even if it did put him in the spotlight.ReplyCancel

  • Lynn CouchAugust 27, 2017 - 10:44 am

    Hi Julie: My mother was Jack Brown’s sister, so that makes me his niece. I was trying to find out when Jack died and came upon your tribute. I have not seen Jack in years, and wonder if he is in any of the pictures you posted. I would like to add them to our ancestry family tree. I would love to copy your tribute and the picture of the surfers tribute circle. Let me know if that would be acceptable to you.ReplyCancel

    • japhoto@pacifier.comSeptember 18, 2017 - 2:11 pm

      Hi Lynn,
      Thank you for reaching out! I’m just now getting back to you….if you are still interested, you can email me directly at julie@julieadamsphotography.com for details on what you need, or call me at 503-791-3515 to discuss. Best,
      Julie AdamsReplyCancel

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