James David Brewer

James David Brewer died in his sleep on Sunday, March 2. Known as Tiny or JD, Tiny was born Dec. 27, 1926, in Picher, Okla., to Herman and Maude Muriel Wasman Brewer.

Herman was a lead miner and a city policeman, his grandfather was German and his grandmother was full-blooded Cherokee, Delaware and Oklahoma Indian. Tiny’s early years were spent in Oklahoma and Arkansas. In 1939 he moved to Sunnyside, Wash., with his mother, younger brother Jo and sister Helen Marie. At the age of 12, he remembers weighing 212 pounds and standing at 6-foot-1-inch.

At age 16, Tiny joined the Navy, serving as a boatswain’s mate aboard the USS Hermitage during World War II. The Hermitage transported troops and prisoners of war in both the Pacific and European Theaters of War. His 17th birthday was celebrated in Bombay, India. He received an honorable discharge in 1946.

Moving to Ritzville in 1950, he worked for Carey Thompson Chevrolet as a body and fender man. He met and married Louise Emma Tesch on June 16, 1951. Tiny purchased and operated the Union Service Station, which was located at First and Division, until he became a truck driver for North American Van Lines in 1955. From 1959 through 1972, he drove truck for Jimmie Snider Trucking. Then in 1973 until retirement he worked as a custodian for the Ritzville School District.

He is a 50-year member of the Masonic Lodge, past Ritzville City Councilman, lifetime member of the Ritzville Gun Club, Past Worthy Patron of Ritzville Eastern Star and past member of the Ritzville JC’s.

Tiny really enjoyed hunting and fishing, a hobby that started after he married Louise. Louise’s father, Ed F. Tesch, was an avid outdoorsman, and took Tiny hunting and fishing frequently. Tiny loved fishing of any kind, especially bass fishing.

His family said some of Tiny’s fondest memories are camping and snowmobiling with friends in the Blue Mountains. Tiny and Louise enjoyed camping in their camper or fifth wheel at various locations in Washington. They also had a trailer at Williams Lake for many years.

Due to failing health, Tiny moved to Puyallup in 2012 and lived with Nancy and Rick until his death.

Tiny is survived by his brother Joe (Marge) Brewer; sister Helen Marie Beard; and children Mark (Susan) Brewer of Atlanta, Ga., Jadine Grams of Ritzville, Ray Brewer of Benton City, Wash., and Nancy (Rick) Patterson of Puyallup, Wash.

Per his request, there is no service, just spend a good day fishing.