Steven Lavere Brown

Steven Lavere Brown, beloved father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend passed away on April 2, 2019 from pancreatic cancer. Steve will be remembered for his cheery disposition, devotion to loved ones and God, positive attitude, big smile, and warm embrace. He was born June 8, 1932 in Virden, New Mexico, to Floyd and Elmina Brown, the fourth of eight children. The family lived and farmed in Virden, New Mexico, and Kirtland, New Mexico. The family lost two siblings as children, then his mother died in 1946 and his father died in 1948. This left the remaining six children orphans, taken in by aunts and uncles, forever shaping their character and faithfulness.
Steven excelled academically at Virden High School and graduated as Salutatorian in 1951. Afterwards he moved to Safford, Arizona, to attend Eastern Arizona Junior College where he was very involved in the LDS Institute and was a cheerleader for the basketball and football teams until receiving his Associates Degree in May 1953. He then served a two-year mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Western States Mission, returning in October 1955. He was drafted one month later into the Army and sent to Fort Ord, California, and Fort Lewis, Washington. During this time, he wrote and courted Glenna Wright, of Salt Lake City. Steve & Glenna were married July 16, 1956 in the Salt Lake Temple.
They lived in Anchorage, Alaska; Provo, Utah; Granger, Utah; Lakewood, Colorado; and Bountiful, Utah during their 50 years together. He was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints throughout his life and served diligently and faithfully, including callings as counselor in the bishopric, bishop, Sunday school teacher, ward mission leader, stake Sunday school president, high priest group leader, stake financial clerk, and temple ordinance worker. They settled in Bountiful in 1975 and were a fixture in the Bountiful 39th Ward for many years.
Steve was discharged from the Army in 1957, then attended Brigham Young University, graduating in 1959. His career included working in management for the JCPenney Company, Fashion Fabric Stores, and Skaggs Drug Company/American Stores (through many buyouts, takeovers, and name changes). Steve retired in July of 1997.

The Brown family enjoyed traveling, camping, and seeing the national parks and sights throughout the West. Yellowstone, Grand Teton, and Zion National Parks have been favorite family vacations.
Steve's angel wife, Glenna, passed on June 27, 2006, after nearly 50 years of marriage to Steve. The years that followed were lonely, but filled with temple service, scripture study, yardwork, and family. After 9 years of being alone, he connected with a former friend from Denver – Donna Johnson. On November 22, 2014 they were married for time in the Denver LDS temple. One of Steve and Donna's greatest loves was serving together in the Denver Temple, which they did up until one month before Steve passed away.
One of Steve's favorite scriptures comes from the Book of Mormon in 2 Nephi 4:15-16 which states, "For my soul delighteth in the scriptures and my heart pondereth them, and writeth them for the learning and profit of my children. Behold, my soul delighteth in the things of the Lord and my heart pondereth continually upon the things which I have seen and heard." Steve observed many miracles throughout his life and wanted truly to come unto Christ and become one of his disciples. He believed in living every day of his life to the fullest, being happy, and working hard. He trusted in the Lord all his life, and strove to live His teachings and keep His commandments to be worthy to lead his family in the eternities, his most important goal in life.
Steve is survived by his wife, Donna Johnson Brown; his two children: Cindy Van Pelt and Glen Brown; his three grandchildren, Aubrey Van Pelt, Rachel Warner (Scott), and Ryan Van Pelt (Ellie); his sisters, Rita Nielson (Keith) and Ferneth Courtright (Ivan); his brother Dewaine Brown; and Donna's three children: Pamela Weaver (Alma), Kevin Johnson (Shelley), and Scott Johnson (Cindy). He was preceded in death by his eternal companion, Glenna Wright Brown (2006); their infant son, Jonathan Paul (1964); siblings Ileane (1937), Dewitt (1931), Colleen (1999), and Cameron (2013); and his parents, Floyd (1948) and Elmina (1946).
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, April 13, 2019 at Russon Mortuary, 295 North Main, Bountiful, Utah, with a viewing from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. prior to services. Interment will follow at Bountiful City Cemetery. Please join us as we celebrate the wonderful life of Steven Lavere Brown.