Morris Otto Brown Jr. affectionately known as Buzz, passed away on May 12, 2025, surrounded by love. He was 77 years old.
A lifelong Sitkan, Buzz was a man whose presence touched many. Known for his steady kindness, his willingness to lend a hand, and for his generosity, he carried himself with humility and strength. Whether as a friend, father, grandfather, great-grandfather or community member, he left an impression on all who knew him.
Buzz proudly served his country in the Vietnam War and later continued his service at home as a dedicated member of the Sitka Volunteer Fire Department. He was always the first to show up and the last to leave when someone needed help. He was the kind of man you could count on.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his sister and brother-in-law Flora and Charles ”Chuck” Ouellette; his beloved daughter, Rachel Cropley; and Sharon Ford, his dearly missed significant other.
Buzz is survived by his brother Hubert Brown; nephews’ Charles, Jonathon and Stuart Ouellette; his daughter, Tamsyn Cropley; Rachel and Tamsyn’s mother and his friend of 57 years, Alice (Abby) Cropley; grandchildren Eve and Hunter Daniels; great-granddaughter Phoenix Alexander; and his many friends.
Buzzy was the Hit S’aati (Housemaster) of Ch’eet Hit (Murrelet House), also known as Kutxhay’aanahaa Hit (Star House) of the Kaagwaantaan Clan of the Sheet’ka’ Kwaan (Sitka People). The Ch’eet S’aaxhw (Murrelet Hat), passed through his lineage. His Tlingit names were Yaakhwaan and Yanta’n.
Big Indian was his CB handle and another of Buzz’s nicknames. He was a specialist 13A10 Cannoneer in Vietnam; and a volunteer firefighter for 40 plus years and an officer in the Sitka Fire Department. Back in the day he was involved with the local Demolition Derby.
He worked at Alaska Pulp Corp., and after it closed he was a roofer and a handyman. But he loved cars, so he worked for and helped out in many local auto shops. Another of his favorite things was maneuvering and moving buildings, cabins, boats, trailers, vehicles and operating wreckers. The more difficult the job, the better. He was good at it.
He also had a love of travel and driving. In his younger days he volunteered for numerous cross country moving jobs. Buzz was even a crew member and pilot on a shrimp boat for a while, and was a longtime volunteer with the Sitka Salmon Derby. If your car broke down or you just needed a hand, he was the person you could call at any time of the day or night, his family said. He will be missed by many.
Though he held many roles in life, Buzz’s greatest legacy is in the love he gave so freely. "He taught us that helping others and kindness speak louder than words and that even the smallest act can make a difference," his family wrote. "These lessons will live on in all of us who were blessed to know him.
Buzz will be interred in the Sitka National Cemetery Columbarium.
"Gunalche’esh, Buzz. Thank you for being a warrior, angel and friend to so many of us," his family said.
Services will be held at the Sitka National Cemetery 11 a.m. Friday, July 25. A reception will follow at the Sitka Fire Department.
