By MATT PATNEAUDE

Omar Brown, a longtime Lake City business owner and resident, passed away March 29 from injuries caused by a car accident. He was 82 years old.

A prominent member of the homebuilding industry, Brown began his business in 1946. Omar Brown Construction Inc. was first run out of a garage at Brown's home.

Brown's wife, Luella, handled the books and paperwork part of the business, while he focused on doing what he loved: building and remodeling houses and apartments.

Born in Minnesota in 1918, Brown became an orphan at age 13 when his parents died in an accident.

"He made his own way ever since," said Luella of her husband.

Brown moved to Washington state in 1942 where he met his future wife. They were married two years later.

Brown began his construction career working for a man that lived across the street from him. After a few years, he went out on his own. Being very interested in everything related to the building business, Brown quickly learned the trade. "He was self-taught, that's for sure," his wife recalled.

When Brown wasn't busy building, he was busy working to improve the professional image of the homebuilding industry. A 46-year member of the Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counties, he served on every committee and held every major leadership position within the organization throughout the years.

The association had a membership of 300 in 1974 when Brown served as its president. Today, the group has more than 2,600 members. The Omar Brown Award is presented annually to the Master Builders Association member who does the most to encourage membership.

"Omar Brown was a pillar of the Master Builders Association for decades," said Master Builders Association spokesman Sam Anderson.

Brown was the recipient of numerous industry honors over the years. He was inducted into the Master Builders Association's Construction Hall of Fame in December as the region's "Remodeler of the Century." He also received awards both on the national, state, and local levels.

Brown is credited with having brought the Homeowners Warranty program to Washington state and he helped lead efforts to lobby the state Legislature to pass a bill requiring contractors to be registered.

Brown's civic involvement did not end there. He was active in the Lake City Elks Club where he was involved in raising funds to benefit the Diabetes Association. He was also actively involved in the Lake City Chamber of Commerce.

In 1947, Brown became a charter member of Maple Leaf Lutheran Church, and led the construction of the building that now houses the church - a feat he counted as one of his proudest achievements.

For the past six years, Brown spent much of his time caring for his wife, who is confined to a wheelchair. The day of the fatal auto accident, he was pursuing his passion. He and a friend were on a driving tour to view some new construction projects in the area. The driver of the car accidentally rear-ended a Metro bus on the way home.

Luella has received over 250 sympathy cards since her husband's death. "He was very well thought of in the building business. Everyone knew him. He's terribly missed," she said.

A donation in Omar Brown's name can be made to Maple Leaf Lutheran Church, 10005 32nd Ave NE, Seattle WA 98125 or The MBA Education Foundation Omar Brown Scholarship Fund, c/o Master Builders Association, 2155 112th Ave. NE, Bellevue, WA 98004.