John Herbert Brown

John Herbert Brown peacefully returned to his Heavenly Father on July 5, 2023 surrounded by his loving family. 
John was born on October 22, 1945 the fourth child of Jim and Lucille Brown. On their way to the hospital, the truck got stuck in the mud, and Lucille had to deliver in the truck. Jim’s brother-in-law, John, walked to the truck and carried Lucille and the baby back to his house. John was named after his uncle.
Growing up on Hillard Flat makes a man tough.  At a young age, he learned the value of hard work. When John was 9, his father passed away and all the responsibilities of the 150-acre ranch fell on him and his siblings. He woke up early to milk cows, feed pigs, haul hay, manage livestock, and any other task needed on the family ranch.  Lessons learned early in his childhood became ingrained in him and were the trademark of his life.  The time spent on the back of bucking milk cows and horses instilled in him a love of rodeo.  In his early years, he rode saddle bronc chasing his gold-buckle dreams. Rodeo never became a big part of his life but he gave advice to many cowboys who moved on and won those gold buckles.
When he was old enough, John attended the Hilliard school house. The school house was small and included grades 1-12. John was the only 1st grader. He spent his early school years in a small 4x8 sandbox that was in the class room playing with cars and trucks. Needless to say, he did not receive the best education but had a will to learn and eventually taught himself to read.
John made friends and connections everywhere he went. His ties to Henefer started when he met Ordell Stephens and trained a team of horses for him. Ordell helped John get a job plowing roads for the state. It was during this time that he met his wife-to-be, Jan. They eloped to Elko, Nevada and were married April 3, 1976. They were later sealed for time and all eternity in the Ogden, Utah temple June 7, 1983.  They are blessed with three beautiful daughters:  JoAnn, Jodie, and Jesse.
John was a man of many talents and a jack of all trades.  He spent his life cutting and baling hay, harvesting wood, trimming trees, and was an iron worker by trade.  He was an artist when it came to shearing sheep, a passion that he couldn’t give up. He was still shearing at the age of 77. He worked hard and took his wife and daughters with him on his many adventures.  Together they cut, baled, and hauled hay; cut, split and stacked wood; sheered sheep and stomped wool. John wanted to help everyone with everything and did every odd job under the sun.  No job was too big or too small for him to tackle. 
There were many things in life that he loved and enjoyed. He shared a love of horses, dogs, fishing, and hunting with his family and tried to include these activities in their lives as much as possible.  As a self-taught man, he had a vast knowledge and a desire to teach. He was always trying to show others how to sharpen a chain saw, shoe a horse, shear a sheep, or fix a fence.  Above all, he had a fierce love of the gospel and enjoyed telling others about it.  He never hesitated to share his thoughts and beliefs and wanted everyone to feel the joy he received from the gospel.
John truly lived by the Savior’s teaching to “love thy neighbor as thyself.”  Everyone was John’s neighbor and he ministered to them all.  He spent countless hours helping anyone in need, and would drop whatever he was doing to lend an extra hand. He was very generous and would give up his last dollar and go without in order to help lift someone else.
He is survived by his wife, his two daughters Jodie Brown and Jesse (Eldon) Woolsey and his two grandchildren Jaycee Woolsey and Riggin Woolsey.  Also, six siblings Jim (Joye) Brown, Edith (Don) Thompson, Betty (Wally) Piirainen, Joyce (Craig) Brown, Mark Brown, and Janice Brown.
He is preceded in death by his much beloved daughter, JoAnn, his parents, and many dear friends.  John will be welcomed in heaven with open, loving arms.
The family would like to give a special thanks to Seth Paskett, the ambulance crew, life flight, and all the staff at the University of Utah hospital for their tender and loving care.
The family also thanks everyone for their love and support, which has been felt and appreciated greatly. 
A visitation will be held at the Henefer church. Sunday July 9, 2023 from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm. 708 E Canyon Rd. Henefer, UT
Another visitation will be held at Crandall mortuary. Monday July 10, 2023 from 9:00 am to 11:00 am. 800 Uinta St. Evanston, WY after which a graveside service will take place at the Evanston Cemetery.