Charles R Brown and Jeneal J Brown died peacefully in their sleep at their home, on a Sunday. My father died December 20th and my mother died December 27th, 2015. They were both from Wayne County, Dad from Loa and Mom from Fremont, Utah. They had just celebrated their 67th Wedding Anniversary. As in life, as in death, they are inseparable.
They had a very special life together because of their extraordinary friendship and love for each other.
They loved to go dancing in their earlier years, and inevitably one of their friends would go to the band and request the song: “Charley Brown is a Clown.” Up from their sits to the dance floor they would go and show everyone how the jitter-bug was done! They had many friends throughout their lives and they cherished them and held that friendship dear. They never shied away from helping a friend or family member in need. Charley and Jeneal represented the meaning of “Charity” throughout their years.
They built a cabin at “Hidden Lake”, it was above Peoa, Utah. The family spent many wonderful years together there. The memories are so precious of cousins, aunts, uncles and friends having fun together. Mom and Dad loved their sisters, brothers, Son, Daughter, Daughter- in- law and grandson and great-grandchildren they held them dear. I remember when Dad and Kerry (my brother), would go deer hunting there, they would climb and sit in trees with their bows and arrows for hours. Dad and my brother Kerry were always close and they usually brought home a deer from their hunt. I also remember mom filling the old pot belly stove at night full of wood and coal, us kids sleeping upstairs had to open the windows from the heat; but that old stove cooked several wonderful meals for us. We snowmobiled, hiked, fished and rode four-wheelers. Later in years, they purchased a small place in St George to get out of the cold winters together.
At the age of 16 dad volunteered to serve in the US Coast Guard as a Merchant Marine in World War II. He was known and respected throughout the construction industry as a Union man. He was an exceptionally talented tile contractor. He once stated: “I crawled as many miles on my knees, as I walked in this life.” He once was flown to Hawaii, because no one could lay the mosaic tile for a resort swimming pool, he could, he was a gifted mathematician. Dad was from a large farm and family and saw the world through humble eyes. I have heard others say that anyone who met him, liked him.
Mom was from a large family and lived on a small farm where her Swedish father owned and operated “Jenson’s Store” in Bicknell, Utah. She worked for Dr. Gassman DDS for over 30 years. She was the receptionist, billing clerk and dental assistant. She had a 100% billing collection rating. She was always kind and generous and knew when someone was under the gun with their finances. She worked with patients and over time each bill was paid in full. Mom knew how to throw a party! Friends and family looked forward to her Christmas parties each year. She had a beautiful home decorated for the party and a large table of wonderful food. She was an excellent cook, as an aunt once said: “she takes flour and turns it into honey.” But, mom was famous for her Banana Cream Pies. I remember when friends would call and let her know they were coming to Salt Lake and she would make them a pie.
Found these poems that they had dedicated to each other.
To her loving husband:
A REAL MAN
He doesn’t look up to the rich,
Nor does he look down on the poor.
He can lose face without
squealing;
He has learned through life
to endure
He can win without loudly
bragging;
He’s too generous and kind
to cheat.
He’s too sensible to be lazy,
And he’s scornful of wrong
and deceit.
He takes a measure of this world’s
goods,
and allows all others their share.
He’s nice to old folks and children,
He’s a real man who loves
and cares.
To his loving wife:
LOVE
Love is a blessing
So hard to explain
It flows from your heart
Like the pouring of rain
Such a gift from our Lord
That lights up each day
To be capable of it
Is what we must pray
There are so many loves
That a person can render
The love for your wife
Is one oh so tenderService Information
Memorial Service
January 2, 2016 at 1:00PM