BROWN, Marshall Francis, M.D.

Owens Livingston Mortuary, Show Low, Arizona Marshall Francis Brown, M.D., passed away Thursday night, October 28, 2010 at his home in Gilbert, Arizona following a lengthy illness. He was 90 years old. Dr. Brown was the only child born to Frank Edward and Mae Leona (Smith) Brown on June 6, 1920 in Virginia, St. Louis County, Minnesota. He was an only child because at birth he weighed 12 pounds! He was affectionately called "Marsh" throughout his life by family and close friends. As a child, Marsh, was extremely smart and brilliant. He was academically gifted in that he learned things quickly and had excellent recall skills. At age 17, 4 years prior to World War II, he served in the United States Navy. Then, when the war broke out, he went to re-enlist but was not recruited due to a health condition that he had. Being that he was so patriotic to his country and wanted to serve, he actually memorized the "eye-chart", and by so doing, he was able to join the U.S. Coast Guard and protect our nation's borders during WWII. Following WWII, Marsh enrolled himself at the University of Minnesota. After many years of dedicated study and tutelage he received his Doctorate Degree in Medicine in 1953. That put him on a path of care that blessed the lives of many hundreds and thousands of people. In 1954, Dr. Brown married Norma Jean "Gussie" Augustus in Gresham, Oregon. Several years later, their marriage ended in divorce. In 1955, Dr. Brown started his general practice in Gresham, where he continued to practice for 40 years, until retiring at age 75. In 1972 he met his life's love, Peggy Ann Williams. They were married on April 14, 1975 in Oregon City, Oregon. They had a beautiful marriage together and were extremely close. They were so close that they would regularly finish each other's sentences. In 1993, when Dr. Brown was 73 years old, he joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The following year, he and Peggy had their marriage sealed, for Time and All Eternity, in the Portland Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Marsh had such a great love for his Savior. He truly lived that testimony of love, as he so willingly gave of himself, in tender service to others. He was a gentle and loving husband, devoted father and doting grandfather. He and Peggy moved to Arizona from Oregon in 1998. Dr. Brown knew of the nobility of the human race and found great joy as he served them throughout his long and beautiful life. Marshall Francis Brown, Sr. is survived by: his wife, Peggy Ann Brown of Gilbert, Arizona; 1 daughter, Pamela May (Destry) Lunt of Gilbert, Arizona; 3 sons: Marshall F. Brown, Jr. "Skip McRobert" of Portland, Oregon, Gregory Brown of Gresham, Oregon, Timothy Paul McRobert of Gresham, Oregon; 6 grandchildren; his great-grandchildren and his former wife, Norma Jean. The public visitation will be from 6:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M., Thursday, November 4, 2010 at the Saratoga Ward Chapel of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 234 N. Greenfield Road (1/4 mile north of Elliot Road) in Gilbert, Arizona. The funeral service will begin 10:00 A.M., Friday, November 5, 2010 at the Saratoga Ward Chapel, where additional visitation will be from 9:00 to 9:45 A.M. The concluding service, with military honors, will follow at Mountain View Memorial Gardens in Mesa, Arizona. Arrangements are being cared for by Owens Livingston Mortuary - White Mountain Chapel of Show Low, Arizona.