Dick Hanford Brown

Dick Hanford Brown died late Saturday night, September 26, 2015, in Camp Verde, Yavapai County, Arizona following a lengthy illness. He was 88 years old. Dick was born on December 11, 1926, in McNary, Apache County, Arizona to his parents, the late Jess Pruitt and Blanche Myrtle (Johnson) Brown. Dick graduated from McNary High School. In February of 1945, a few short months after graduation, he found himself serving in the U.S. Army during World War II. His service took him to the Philippines where he helped build roads, runways and other infrastructures that were used for the war effort. At the end of WWII, as the United States began the demobilization of troops from the different campaigns throughout the world, he received his honorable discharge in December of 1946. After being home from WWII just a few months, Dick began another chapter in his life. He married Marilyn June Turner on April 23, 1947 in Globe, Arizona. Their marriage was solemnized in the Mesa Arizona Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. When Marilyn died in October of 2007, the couple had been married for 60 years. Later, Dick married his second wife, Agnes "Aggie" McDowell in the Snowflake Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Aggie, only a few months ago, passed away. Dick was a hard worker throughout his whole life. Shortly after his marriage to Marilyn, he began working for Southwest Forest Industries, loading logs right onto the trains. Then, in 1964, he began working for the Operating Engineers Local Union as a heavy equipment operator and, did so, until his retirement at the age of 62. Dick was not one to sit idle and shortly after his retirement, he began working for the Dow Rhoton Cattle Company at Porter Mountain for another 5 years. He loved his cowboy life and was known to play the guitar and sing a good cowboy song or two. In his younger years, Dick was an excellent team roper and spent countless hours at the rodeos. For many years after his retirement, he and Marilyn camped in many areas in the White Mountains and always appreciated the beauty of the area. Dick is survived by his children: Dennis (Debra) Brown of Camp Verde, Arizona, Sherilyn Showman of Monroe, Washington, Kim (Susan) Brown of Williams, Arizona, Perry (Dawn) Brown of The Colony, Texas, Melody (Scott) Frisch of Camp Verde, Arizona; 1 sister, Velda (Dub) Rogers of Holbrook, Arizona; 15 grandchildren and 35 great-grandchildren. Along with his parents and both wives, Dick was preceded in death by a grandson, Richard McMahon; a great-grandson, Dylan Perkins; and 2 brothers: Jackie Brown and Denny Brown and 2 sisters: Nola Wilson and Darlene Cooley. The public visitation will be from 6:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M., Friday, October 9, 2015, at Owens Livingston Mortuary - White Mountain Chapel, 320 N. 9th Street in Show Low, Arizona. The funeral service will begin 10:00 A.M., Saturday, October 10, 2015, at the Show Low Stake Center of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1401 E. Deuce of Clubs in Show Low, Arizona where additional visitation will begin 1 hour prior. The concluding service and interment will immediately follow at the Show Low Cemetery.