Dr William Frederick Brownton

  General Notes:

Research of James W. Straw -headstone photo dated 120727

Stanford Magazine July/August 2004 - Class notes - obituaries
William Frederick Brownton, '39, of San Jose, February 16, at 86, of pancreatic cancer. A member of Kappa Alpha and the track and field team, he served as a dentist in the Army Air Corps during World War II. He practiced dentistry for 35 years with his father and brother. He was past president of the Santa Clara Dental Society and San Jose Rotary Club and served on the boards of the United Way and Red Cross. Survivors: his wife of 62 years, Virginia; one son, Glenn, '69; one daughter, Marilyn Straw; three grandchildren; and one sister.


San Jose Mercury News (CA)
February 19, 2004
Section: Death Notice - Classified

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William Frederick Brownton
Dateline: CA United States
Article Text:
CA United States
William Frederick Brownton Dad died peacefully at home, surrounded by his family, in the town of his birth, San Jose, Calif., on Feb. 16, 2004, at the age of 86 after succumbing to pancreatic cancer. Survived by his wife of 62 years, Virginia Brownton; son Glenn Brownton and Mary Counihan; daughter Marilyn Straw and Jim Straw; grandchildren Sadie Miles and Mandy and Tammy Straw; sister Betty MacIntosh and George MacIntosh; nephews Page Brownton and Bob MacIntosh, nieces Wendy Pohlman, Trudi Diffendaffer, Laurie Carmona, Christie Flores, and Nancy Amos. Son of the late Ethel and Leighton C. Brownton; brother of the late Leighton P. (and Jane) Brownton. Educated at Hester Elementary, San Jose High (1931-35), Stanford University (1935-38) where he was a member of Kappa Alpha fraternity, University of California at San Francisco School of Dentistry (1938 -42) where he was a member of Xi Psi Phi dental fraternity and its president in 1942. Received his B.S and D.D.S. from UCSF in 1942. Commissioned as a 1st Lt. in the Army Dental Corp, serving active duty as a dentist in the Army Air Corp during World War II at various bases in the U.S.A. 1942-44 and Pacific Theatre 1944-46, retiring as a Major in the Army Reserve in 1958. After the war he returned to San Jose where he practiced dentistry from 1946-1981 with his father and brother. He was active in civic groups, including the Santa Clara County Dental Society (president 1954-5), San Jose Rotary Club (president 1964-5), Friendship Masonic Lodge #210, San Jose Scottish Rite, as well as serving on the boards of the San Jose Exchange Club, Visiting Nurses Assn., United Way, Red Cross, and San Jose Country Club. He was an avid, even addicted, golfer for 70 years from adolescence until just a year before his death. Through all these activities of his long life he formed many close, enduring, and valued relationships. He was a kind and gentle man who quietly made a lasting impact on his family and friends, as well as his community, and will be greatly missed by us all. Services and burial will be held Saturday, February 21, starting at 10:00 a.m. in the CHAPEL OF THE ROSES, Oak Hill Memorial Park, 300 Curtner Ave., San Jose, Calif., 408 297-2447. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to San Jose Rotary Endowment, 1690 Senter Road, San Jose, Calif. 95112, and/or Hospice of the Valley, 1150 So. Bascom Ave., Suite 7A, San Jose, Calif., 95128. (We wish to acknowledge the care and support provided him and us by the staffs of both Hospice of the Valley and Older Adult Care Management during this difficult but rewarding journey.)
Copyright (c) 2004 San Jose Mercury News
Record Number: 1946676

William married Virginia Lee De Vore, daughter of Glenn Marwood De Vore and Elizabeth Lee Ryce, on 20 Dec 1942 in Congrigational Church, Fresno, CA. (Virginia Lee De Vore was born on 13 Jun 1918 in Fresno, California, died on 2 Nov 2006 in Los Gatos, California and was buried in Oak Hill Memorial Park in San Jose, California.)