Denis Harold Browning

Denis Harold Browning, 72, of Layton, Utah, peacefully returned to his Heavenly Father on Monday, January 8th, 2018 at McKay-Dee Hospital in Ogden, Utah, surrounded by family and loved ones. Cause of death was Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome brought on by a powerful strain of the flu.

Denis was born February 2, 1945 in Welland, Ontario, Canada to Telford Leslie and Margaret Jean (Ingham) Browning. He graduated from Bountiful High School in 1963, and attended classes at Weber State College and BYU. On June 27, 1970, he married his sweetheart Susan Lynn Smith in Gardnerville, NV.  A year later they were sealed in the Salt Lake City Temple for time and all eternity.

Though he was known in his Centerville neighborhood as a Paint & Body guy, Denis’ full time career was spent working for the State of Utah in a variety of interesting roles, with the majority of his career focusing on Land Acquisition Services – if you’ve driven in Utah, chances are Denis negotiated the sale of property to widen that road.

Denis cherished his membership in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and was able to serve the church members in many different capacities.  Denis was ordained a Teacher in the Aaronic Priesthood by President Thomas S. Monson, and has always had a special love for him.

Keeping in touch with his friends and taking care of his family were of paramount importance to Denis. It didn’t matter how far away he had moved, he kept in close contact with those he loved from his childhood and with the many friends he collected throughout his life. Denis’ love for family history led him to the discovery of his cousin, Carol Ann Johnson, daughter of his uncle Harold Ingham.  The family had lost contact with Harold and knew nothing of his adult life; this discovery of Carol has brought great joy to Denis, Carol and all their families.

Denis’ generosity and friendliness knew no bounds. He had a love for life that was contagious and the kind of laugh that kept his kids fighting for the enviable role of being the first to tell him the best Readers Digest jokes each month. In his younger days, he loved boating, water skiing, snow skiing and golf. As time went on, he was able to travel many places throughout the world on planes and cruise ships. He visited his father’s home in Oxford England, saw the Pope while visiting the Vatican, and fulfilled a dream of visiting Elvis’ Graceland in Memphis. Throughout his life he loved Rock & Roll, classic cars, his family, his many friends, and dancing with his sweetheart.

Whenever he had a little extra money, and sometimes when he didn’t, it was Denis’ personal mission to surprise Susan or his kids, or daughters-in-law, or, especially, his grandkids with unexpected gifts. He loved to spend time with and spoil those he cared about, and also maintained an ever-escalating competition of jokes with his sister, Sarah Jane; pink flamingos, and elaborate birthday gags come to mind.

Denis is survived by his wife, Susan, their five sons, Justin Walter (Mandy), Travis Telford (Chris), Dallas Smith (Suzy), Clinton Denis (Kristy), and Devin Ingham (Kelsee), his sister, Sarah Jane Holbrook (Ward), and his 9 grandchildren, Esther 20 (Jared), Zac 18, Jaquelyne 17, Sam 15, Marissa 14, Lincoln 13, Suzanna 10, Bentley 7, and Hugo 1.

Funeral services will be at 11:00 am, Tuesday, January 16, 2018 at the Centerville 5th Ward building, 270 North 300 East, Centerville, Utah, 84014. Burial will follow at the Kaysville City Cemetery. There will be a viewing from 6:00 pm until 8:00 pm, Monday January 15, 2018 at the Russon Mortuary in Bountiful, as well as a viewing at the church prior to the funeral from 9:30 am until 10:30 am.