Delbert B. Brown Jr.

BURLEY - Delbert B. Brown Jr., 75, of Burley, passed away on Thursday, Nov. 13, 2014, at his home surrounded by his loving family.

Del was born on Nov. 21, 1938, in Colonial Dublan (which is part of the Mormon Colonies located in Northern Mexico) to Delbert Brigham and Irene (Whetten) Brown. Del attended Brigham Young High School in Provo, Utah. He then served a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the California Mission from 1958-1960. Upon returning, he enlisted and served in the Army Reserves. Del continued his education at Brigham Young University graduating in 1967 with a bachelor’s degree in industrial arts. He received a master’s degree in vocational education from the University of Idaho in 1985.

He was a faithful and active member of the LDS Church. He served in many callings in the Church; his favorite calling was teaching the Gospel Doctrine Sunday school class. Del and Jan served two missions together: Colorado Colorado Springs Mission (2005-2006) and the Texas Fort Worth Mission (2011-2013). In addition, he and his wife were service missionaries in Addiction Recovery as well as workers in the Twin Falls Idaho LDS Temple. Serving together was special for them as a couple as they were able to unify their efforts in serving the Lord together.

He was a life-long educator teaching seminary early in his professional life and then finishing his career by teaching at Burley Junior High for twenty-seven years. He was awarded the Idaho State Special Needs Association Teacher of the Year in 1986. Del dedicated his life to teaching; he loved his students and they loved him. Great pleasure and fulfillment came from his profession as well as his leisure activities of wood working and studying the doctrines of the Church. He was a man who could fix almost anything. He shared these talents with his family, friends, and neighbors as he was often called to hang sheet rock, perfa-tape, fix lawn mowers, and many other odd jobs that he accomplished happily and professionally. He also enjoyed spending time with his family, watching BYU football, and working in the garden.

He is survived by his wife, Jeanette (Mackley) Brown. They were married on June 11, 1965, in the Idaho Falls Idaho LDS Temple and had six children: Brad (Dorothy) Brown of American Fork, Utah, Lisa Salmon of Harrisville, Utah, Christine Brown of Rexburg, Idaho, Trevor (Erica) of Syracuse, Utah, Cindy Brown of Boise, Idaho, and Tricia Brown of Burley, Idaho. He is also survived by his sisters, Martha (Brown) Rasmussen of Washington, Utah, and Nila (Brown) Miller of Orem, Utah; his brother, Les Brown of Provo, Utah; as well as many loving grandchildren and nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and two sisters, Rena (Brown) Hessler, and Viva (Brown) Stanger.

The funeral will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Nov. 21, at the Burley LDS West Stake Center, 2420 Parke Ave., in Burley, with Bishop Ty Jones officiating. Burial will be in the Pleasant View Cemetery in Burley.

Friends may call from 6 until 8 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 20, at the Rasmussen Funeral Home, 1350 E. 16th St., in Burley, and from 10 until 10:45 a.m. Friday at the church.