BROWN, Brent Whiting, (Dr.)

The White Mountain Independent, Show Low, Arizona ~ May 29, 2008 Dr. Brent Whiting Brown died May 24, 2008, in Mesa. He was born Sept. 27, 1941, in St. Johns to Joseph Albert Brown and Elda Whiting. He was a lifelong resident of Arizona and was one of a dying breed of Mormon ranching Democrats from Northern Arizona. He received his bachelor's degree from Brigham Young University, a master's degree from Arizona State University and a PhD from the University of Illinois in political science. He served under four Arizona governors in various positions. He was a vice president for university relations and a professor at ASU. He was influential in bringing pro-football and the first Super Bowl to Arizona. His most recent position was as a policy advisor for Rural Affairs to Gov, Janet Napolitano. He was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He served a mission to São Paulo, Brazil. He served in many areas of leadership and teaching positions. His pastimes included church history, genealogy, gardening, ASU sports, ranching, traveling and reading. He was preceded in death by his parents, sister Nathel Burdick and brother Quinn Brown. He is survived by his wife of almost 44 years, Marilyn Cropper; his children, Dessie (Scott) Harman, Morgan (Shawna) Brown, Daniel Brown, Angela (Bart) Smithson, Amanda (Theron) Hall and Bethany (Ryan) Hutchins; his siblings, Geraldine Sagers, Elma Smith, Louine Shields, Jack Brown and Philip Brown; and 11 grandchildren. In lieu of flowers, donations in Brent's name are being accepted at American Diabetic Society or American Cancer Society. Bunker's Mortuary of Mesa handled the arrangements. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The White Mountain Independent, Show Low, Arizona ~ Monday, June 2, 2008 Dr. Brent Whiting Brown died May 24, 2008, in Mesa. He was born Sept. 27, 1941, in St. Johns to Joseph Albert Brown and Elda Whiting. He was a lifelong resident of Arizona and was one of a dying breed of Mormon ranching Democrats from Northern Arizona. He received his bachelor's degree from Brigham Young University, a master's degree from Arizona State University and a PhD from the University of Illinois in political science. He served under four Arizona governors in various positions. He was a vice president for university relations and a professor at ASU. He was influential in bringing pro-football and the first Super Bowl to Arizona. His most recent position was as a policy advisor for rural affairs to Gov. Janet Napolitano. He was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served a mission to São Paulo, Brazil. He served in many areas of leadership and teaching positions. His pastimes included church history, genealogy, gardening, ASU sports, ranching, traveling and reading. He was preceded in death by his parents, sister Nathel Burdick and brother Quinn Brown. He is survived by his wife of almost 44 years, Marilyn Cropper; his children, Dessie (Scott) Harman, Morgan (Shawna) Brown, Daniel Brown, Angela (Bart) Smithson, Amanda (Theron) Hall and Bethany (Ryan) Hutchins; siblings Geraldine Sagers, Elma Smith, Louine Shields, Jack Brown and Philip Brown; and 11 grandchildren. Funeral services were held Saturday, May 31, at 11 a.m. at the LDS Gilbert Stapley Stake Center in Gilbert. Interment was held at the St. John's Cemetery Monday, June 2. Arrangements were handled by Bunker's Garden Chapel.