04/23/2026
May 1, 2026 will be our last day of operation at Fred Brown Tree Care. For those who may be interested in some history, I, along with Kevin Carlson (my brother-in-law) started Fred Brown Tree Care in 2018.
A little about Fred Brown.
I first met Fred years before at the airport, where he was sitting at a bartop table in the terminal building with three other men. My daughter Natalie called it “Buzzards Perch”. Fred could make friends with a honey badger, he was just one of those guys. Unfortunately, Fred had taken on his second battle with cancer and this time would have a most undesirable outcome. He understood his time on earth was about to end and it was time to ‘wrap things up’. One of those things was all the stuff he had acquired, particularly spray equipment for trees and lawns.
First Fred asked one of his friends if he would like to buy his business, but it wasn’t feasible for that person at the time. Then Fred asked if I would be interested in buying his equipment so Carol would not have to deal with all his ‘stuff’.
He also wanted his sister Gayle, and Dennis to have a job if at all possible. I told Fred that if it could be profitable I would run the business so his employees would have work, work that they loved to do.
Kevin and I looked over the possibility and decided to take on the task of learning about trees. My son Jonah, who many of you know, started as well. Recently, when the last employee who Fred cared about left the company, there is no reason to continue the business. I simply don’t have the time to operate the business and only continued for the people.
My son Jonah has been a pleasure to work with over the years, but I have always tried to convince him to pursue another career. I believe I have finally pushed him out the door, though it is bittersweet.
For all my customers over the years, thank you for the opportunity to serve you. I hope another company will fill our shoes so your trees will be cared for properly. I’m sure someone is step up.
Take care to all.
James Bagley
PS A notable story about Fred Brown, the person. I love to tell this story, because it is about the grace of God and how Fred showed me and others grace. After a short battle with cancer, for a second time, Fred was on his death bed. Another friend of Fred’s, Mike McComas asked if I would take him to see Fred before he passed. When we got to the house Carol took us to Fred, who was only days away from passing. His smile, despite his pain never wavered, and even more powerful than his smile was his satisfaction that soon he would be with Jesus. Before long, an hour or so had passed and it was time to leave. Fred asked, “Can I pray for you?” Even now as I write this, my allergies start kicking in, if you know what I mean. Fred prayed for us both, and he was the one dying. His prayer meant so much. By the time he finished praying, Mike and I were sniffling like little girls, we truly were moved by his words and we were blessed. It was a moment, a wonderful long moment with Fred Brown that I will remember for the rest of my life. I hope that some day, when I am at my weakest, I can be like Fred and be the strongest.
God is good…all the time.
