Garth Arthur (Brownie) Brown |
| Posted 2008-11-02 by Judy Wight Branson |
| Daily Courier, Prescott, Arizona Saturday, October 25, 2008 Garth Arthur Brown, 98 - better known to all who knew him as "Brownie" - born July 20, 1910, in Congress, Arizona Territory, departed this world Oct. 18, 2008. Brownie was the oldest of 10 children. His maternal grandmother, Ramona (Langmuie) Juhl, was born in Arizona, as was his mother Alice (Juhl) Brown. He lived in Wickenburg for more than 60 years and was best known as owner and operator of Wickenburg Plumbing for over 40 years. He finally retired in 2000 at the age of 90. Brownie loved Wickenburg and was involved in town government for many years as Town Councilman, Planning and Zoning board member, Board of Adjustments member, and Mayor from 1970 to 1972. Brownie is survived by daughter Garna Melugin (Ken) of Wickenburg; granddaughters Debbie Dawson (Jerry) of Chino Valley and Susie Samsill (John) of Wickenburg; five great-grandchildren; one great-great-granddaughter; and five of his siblings. He will be greatly missed by his family and many, many friends. A memorial service will be 11 a.m. Monday, Oct. 27, 2008, at the Wickenburg Community Center. A reception will follow at Charley Steak House. Arrangements by David's Desert Chapel Funeral Home, Wickenburg. Information provided by survivors. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The Wickenburg Sun, Wickenburg, AZ October 22, 2008, p. A13 Garth Arthur Brown, 98, of Wickenburg, better known to all who knew him as “Brownie,” may be one of the last natives of this state to be born when it was still a territory - July 20, 1910. He departed this world Oct. 18, 2008. Brownie was born in Congress, Ariz., to Jim and Alice (Juhl) Brown. His father was foreman of the O-X Ranch at the time. Jim and Alice had five children; Brownie was the oldest. His father died in 1921, and his mother later married Luther Reid, and they had five more children. As a youngster, Brownie attended school in Congress. After his father’s death, the family went to Tempe where he finished the eighth grade - the end of his formal education, but the beginning of one that would last a lifetime. At the age of 14, he left Arizona and went to Los Angeles where he worked for Barker Brothers Department Store. At 16, he joined the Merchant Marines and went to sea, a life-long dream of his. Brownie returned to Arizona in the early 1930s and began working at various mines around the Hillside and Congress area. He held many different jobs with the mines, from truck driver, mechanic, superintendent, to filling in for the cook. In 1938 Brownie married Edna Muse in Prescott, Ariz. They had three children - Garth James, who died in infancy; Garth Jr., who died in 1988; and Garna Joyce. He and Edna divorced in 1956. In 1957 Brownie married Margaret Hikhus, better known to everyone as “Mike.” She died in 1989. Brownie wore many hats in his lifetime - sailor, garage owner, plastering contractor, volunteer fireman - but he is best known as owner-operator of Wickenburg Plumbing, a business he ran for more than 40 years. He was a jack-of-all-trades and often said he could fix anything but a broken heart, but would give it a try if need be. Brownie loved the community of Wickenburg. He was a charter member of the local Lions Club and also a member of the Elks. He was a Shriner and a 32nd-Degree Mason. For many years, he was a member of the Wickenburg Natural Resource Conservation District and was president at the time of his passing. The Garth Brown Environmental Education Center at the local library is named in his honor. Town politics was another of Brownie’s passions. He served as a councilman for many years and on commissions such as the Board of Adjustments, Planning and Zoning, and from 1970 to 1972 he was mayor. During his time as mayor, he was instrumental in the building of the local community center, something he was very proud of. The Garth Brown Industrial Park is named in his honor. He was the second recipient of the “Henry Award” in 2001. Brownie’s family roots run deep in Arizona. His maternal grandmother - Ramona (Langmuier) Juhl was born in Arizona, as was his mother Alice (Juhl) Brown. Brownie and all of the following generations are natives of this great state. He was preceded in death by brothers Dave Brown, Stanley Brown, Ed Brown, and Raymond Reid. Brownie is survived by siblings Catherine (Brown) Robinson in Oregon, Rosemary (Reid) Robinson of California, Alice June (Reid) Behrmer in Oregon, Steve Reid of Oregon, and John Reid of Alaska; his daughter Garna Melugin (Ken) of Wickenburg; granddaughters Debbie Dawson (Jerry of Chino Valley, Susie Samsill (John) of Wickenburg; great-grandchildren Jessica Garcia (Mark) of Prescott, Amber Stazenski of Tucson and Chino Valley, Clay Stazenski of Chino Valley, Holly Jo Samsill and Trey Samsill of Wickenburg; and great-great-granddaughter Kimberly Garcia of Prescott. He will be greatly missed by his family and many, many friends. If you would like, a donation can be made to the Garth Brown Environmental Education Center through National Bank of Arizona, 540 W. Wickenburg Way, Wickenburg Az., 85390. A memorial service will be held Monday, Oct. 27 at 11 a.m. at the Wickenburg Community Center with a reception at Charley’s Steak House following the service. Arrangements are by David’s Desert Chapel Funeral Home. See Also: Find A Grave |
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