Vernon Dean Brown

Vernon Dean Brown died suddenly on Tuesday, March 31, 2015, at the emergency room of Summit Healthcare Regional Medical Center in Show Low, Navajo County, Arizona. He was 78 years old. Vern, as he was known, was born on May 12, 1936, in Grant, Perkins County, Nebraska to his parents, the late Arthur Howard and Myrtle Lucy (Conger) Brown. Vern married his wife, Janet, on June 23, 1979. Together they travelled, extensively, throughout the country and always looked forward to attending his family reunions in Nebraska, every three years. Family was paramount in his life and Vern always made the best out of the time he was able to spend with them. He taught his family, by his example, the value of hard work. He was a general contractor, owning and operating his own business for 35 years. He was excellent in his work and many considered him to be a master carpenter. Vern was reared in Paramount, California and later lived in Glendora, California for 40 years before moving to Arizona in 2001. When he and Janet moved to Arizona, they were able to move into the home they built in Heber, along the Mogollon Rim. Never one to be idle, Vern gave of his time in various capacities in the Heber/Overgaard area. He was the volunteer in charge of building the new Heber Library in 2006. Vern was a faithful member of Shepherd of the Pines United Methodist Church in Overgaard, where he spent countless hours of service amongst his church family. He also volunteered for 8 years with Meals On Wheels in the Heber/Overgaard communities. For years, Vern gave of his time, and was always a warm and welcomed face, at the Overgaard Ponderosa Lions Club where he participated in many service projects that ultimately helped hundreds within his community. His warm and gentle ways will truly be missed by everyone whom have had the opportunity to call him: Husband, Father, Brother, Grandpa or Friend. "To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord." His family finds a great deal of comfort knowing that he is happy being in the presence of his Redeemer. Vern is survived by his wife of 35 years, Janet Brown, of Heber, Arizona; 5 children: Denny Brown of Lake Elsinore, California, Jay Brown of Highlands Ranch, Colorado, Matthew (Tracy) Sellers of Rancho Cucamonga, California, Mark (Ann) Sellers of Sterling, Virginia, Patrick (Kendra) Sellers of Lake Elsinore, California; 1 sister, Margaret "Maggie" Headrick of Highlands Ranch, Colorado; 9 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren. Along with his parents, he was preceded in death by 2 brothers, Loren Brown and Donald Brown. The funeral service will begin 2:00 P.M., Saturday, April 4, 2015, at Shepherd of the Pines United Methodist Church, 3015 Highway 277 in Overgaard, Arizona and the visitation will begin 1 hour prior. Pastor Noni Dye will officiate over the funeral proceedings. The concluding service and interment will be at Rose Hills Cemetery in Whittier, California. Memorial contributions, in Vern's name to: The Rim Community Library, c/o: Kathleen Shea, P.O. Box 305, Overgaard, Arizona 85933 or to Shepherd of the Pines United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 1402, Overgaard, Arizona 85933 have been suggested by his family. Arrangements are being cared for by Owens Livingston Mortuary - White Mountain Chapel of Show Low, Arizona.