BROWN, Vernon (Vern) Dean

The White Mountain Independent, Show Low, Arizona ~ 04/03/2015 Vernon Dean Brown, 78, died suddenly Tuesday, March 31, 2015, at the emergency room of Summit Healthcare Regional Medical Center in Show Low. Vern, as he was known, was born May 12, 1936, in Grant, Neb., to the late Arthur Howard and Myrtle Lucy (Conger) Brown. Vern married his wife, Janet, on June 23, 1979. Together they travelled extensively throughout the country and always looked forward to attending his family reunions every three years in Nebraska. Family was paramount in his life, and Vern always made the best out of the time he was able to spend with them. He taught his family, by his example, the value of hard work. He was a general contractor, owning and operating his own business for 35 years. He was excellent in his work and many considered him to be a master carpenter. Vern was reared in Paramount, Calif., and later lived in Glendora, Calif., for 40 years before moving to Arizona in 2001. When he and Janet relocated to Arizona, they were able to move into the home they built in Heber, along the Mogollon Rim. Never one to be idle, Vern gave of his time in various capacities in the Heber/Overgaard area. He was the volunteer in charge of building the new Heber Library in 2006. Vern was a faithful member of Shepherd of the Pines United Methodist Church in Overgaard, where he spent countless hours of service amongst his church family. He also volunteered for eight years with Meals On Wheels in the Heber/Overgaard communities. For years, Vern gave of his time, and was always a warm and welcomed face, at the Overgaard Ponderosa Lions Club where he participated in many service projects that ultimately helped hundreds within his community. His warm and gentle ways will truly be missed by everyone whom have had the opportunity to call him Husband, Father, Brother, Grandpa or Friend. “To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord.” His family finds a great deal of comfort knowing that he is happy being in he presence of his Redeemer. Vern is survived by his wife of 35 years, Janet Brown of Heber; five children, Denny Brown of Lake Elsinore, Calif., Jay Brown of Highlands Ranch, Colo., Matthew (Tracy) Sellers of Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., Mark (Ann) Sellers of Sterling, Va., and Patrick (Kendra) Sellers of Lake Elsinore, Calif.; sister Margaret “Maggie” Headrick of Highlands Ranch, Colo.; nine grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. Along with his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers, Loren Brown and Donald Brown. Funeral services will begin at 2 p.m. Saturday, April 4, at Shepherd of the Pines United Methodist Church, 3015 Highway 277 in Overgaard, and the visitation will begin one hour prior. Pastor Noni Dye will officiate over the funeral proceedings. The concluding service and interment will be at Rose Hills Cemetery in Whittier, Calif. Owens Livingston Mortuary of Show Low handled arrangements. For those who have special memories and would like to send private condolences or sign an online guest book, visit www.owenslivingstonmortuary.com.