Lewis James Brown

April 6, 1929 – Oct. 27, 2021

Lewis James Brown, 92, passed away Wednesday, Oct. 27, 2021 in St. George, Utah. He was born April 6, 1929 in Mt. Trumbull, Arizona, to Arthur Alexander Brown and Cora Etta Van Leuven. He met Betty Ruth Owens in St. George, Utah, and they married on July 7, 1950 in the St. George Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. 

Lewis lived in Mt. Trumbull, Arizona, until he moved with his family to Hurricane, Utah, at the age of 7. He was a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and attended meetings on Zoom up to the very end. He served in many callings in the church, but the one he loved most was working with the youth as the Varsity Scout coach. Lewis and Betty served a mission at Cove Fort, Utah.

He was an accomplished brick mason and enjoyed being a pilot. He participated in, umpired and refereed church, city and high school sports. He won the World Horseshoe Pitching Championship in his division in 2013 and was inducted into the Utah Horseshoe Pitchers Hall of Fame in 2016. 

Lewis was larger than life. You could trust his word and his handshake. He would give a stranger the shirt off his back. He never held a grudge against anyone and everyone was welcome in his home where there was a bed and a meal for all!

We imagine he is gathering wood and making a roaring fire with all his friends and relatives who have gone before on the top of a beautiful mountain, pitching horseshoes or dropping a line to catch a mountain trout. He loved his family dearly and was never happier than when he was playing games like Rummikub or Farkle with them. 

Lewis is survived by his children: Kenneth Brown of Carson City, Nevada; Sheila Deuley (William) of St. George, Utah; Mary Brown of Heber City, Utah; Richard Brown of St. George, Utah; Connie Larson (Steven) of St. George, Utah; Carol Vestal (Michael) of Parker, Colorado; Dorothy Nuttall (Lee) of St. George, Utah; Joseph Brown (Hilary) of North Ogden, Utah; Danelle Boxberger (Garrick) of Surprise, Arizona and Jacque Cannon of Las Vegas, Nevada; his 33 grandchildren, 30 great-grandchildren, and sisters-in-law Lenore Brown and Ruth Owens White.

He was preceded in death by his loving wife Betty Ruth Owens, his parents, and his siblings Pearl Stout (Lavon), Dorothy Smith (Glenn), Mildred Thacke (Dan), Don Brown (Elsie), Gene Brown (Esther), Sidney Brown, and all his friends … he was literally the last man standing.

The family would like to thank Encompass Health staff for their kind support in our time of need. 

Funeral Services will be held Friday, Nov. 5, 2021 at 11 a.m. at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints chapel at 591 W. 500 N., St. George, Utah. Friends and family may call Thursday, Nov. 4 from 5-7 p.m. at Spilsbury Mortuary, 110 S. Bluff St., St. George, Utah and Friday, Nov. 5, from 9:30-10:30 a.m. at the chapel just prior to the funeral. Interment will take place at the Panguitch, Utah, Cemetery on Saturday, Nov. 6, 2021 at noon. 

Arrangements are made under the direction of Spilsbury Mortuary, 110 S. Bluff St., St. George, Utah, 435-673-2454

Friends and family are invited to sign Lewis’ guest book at www.spilsburymortuary.com.

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