Edward Brown

Obituary of Edward Merl Brown

 

Edward Merl Brown, known to his family and friends as Merl, was a devoted husband and proud father of nine children. He was born on January 17, 1934, the last of five children born to Merl William and Emma Elmira Brown in Logan, Utah. He passed away April 1, 2019 at the age of 85, surrounded by his family in Lacey, Washington.

 

Growing up in beautiful Cache Valley, Utah and continuing on throughout his life, Merl kept a large contingent of guardian angels very busy at all hours of the day and night. The stories of very near misses - threatening life and limb - are far too numerous to relate. Dad believed, and we agree, that his own father was at the head of this elite band of guardian angels. Dad’s father passed away six months prior to his birth, after years of suffering the effects of mustard gas poisoning during his service as a U.S. Marine in World War I.  Dad’s mother never remarried.

 

Merl graduated from Logan High School, where he met and fell in love with his sweetheart, Bonnie Anna Layne, during their sophomore year. In his junior year, Merl was class president and Bonnie was class secretary. But it was his senior year that brought the distinction of being voted “sexiest hair,” something he and Mom have always been proud to recount. The glory was short-lived, however, as his hair quickly receded and thinned soon after marriage, and grayed with the addition of each succeeding child and grocery bill.

 

Merl and Bonnie were sealed for time and all eternity in the Logan, Utah Temple on November 21, 1952. Their marriage has lasted 66 years, and we believe that their union will continue beyond this life and we all look forward to a very happy reunion with Dad and so many others at a future day.

 

Together, Merl and Bonnie raised nine children: Michael (Marie), Katherine (Mike McCarter), Cory (Lisa), Elyn (Kurt Moss), Loren (Karrie), Mona (Mikeal Bates), Dallon (Monica), Brian (Nicki), and Julie-Anna (Shaun Barclay). After Mike and Katherine were born, they moved to Southern California and built a home in Yucaipa where the rest of the children were born and where they cultivated friendships that have lasted throughout their lifetime. They later relocated to Mena, Arkansas, where Merl served as Branch President for the church. In 1984, they moved to Washington to be closer to family that now included their first grandchildren. Throughout their lives, Merl and Bonnie have considered themselves to be rich with wonderful children and their spouses, grandchildren and great grandchildren, as well as a long lifetime of tremendous blessings.

 

Merl was famous for his Donald Duck voice impression and his loud, signature whistle that he often used to silence chaos or to summon his children, which brought all of them running, including some of the neighborhood dogs. He enjoyed John Wayne movies and Westerns, gardening, and watching Wheel of Fortune. Merl was an avid reader of the scriptures and other Gospel related books, and he always looked forward to the Ensign magazine, which he read cover to cover. He served faithfully throughout his life in numerous callings, influencing countless lives for good as a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

 

Merl is survived by his wife and children as well as his sisters, Barbara McKnight and Bonnie Young. His posterity at the time of his death is 102, the latest born on the morning of his passing. Merl and Bonnie’s posterity will continue to grow and add to their incredible legacy as we eagerly anticipate the arrival of #103 in October. We love you Dad!

 

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Friday
12
April

Funeral Service

12:00 pm
Friday, April 12, 2019
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints - Ruddell Building
1602 Ruddell Road SE
Lacey, Washington, United States
Friday
12
April

Interment

2:00 pm
Friday, April 12, 2019
Yelm Cemetery
11540 Cemetary Road
Yelm, Washington, United States
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