We were shocked and saddened to hear of Rick's passing.  Although we did not know him long, we both felt an instant connection to Rick and Gayle when we met them last year.  He always had a smile and a ready hand to help in any way.  The beautiful love of God and each other was shining from them.  It was an honor to know him and our hearts are broken for Gayle.  Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.  God bless you.

I have procrastinated putting down my feelings about the loss of Rick because it has been difficult to put into words how much Rick meant to me.
I knew Rick my whole life. Rick and Gayle married when I was only 3 years old. He was like a big brother to me. He was there for as long as I can remember. As I got older, I envied the strong marriage that Rick and Gayle had and the wonderful life they built together. I wanted that kind of relationship. I saw the deep love they shared through the good times and the tragic times. 
I will remember Rick as the handsome and Godly man that he was. I have met no one that didn't like Rick or admire him. Only good things have been spoken about him. He was a giving person who seemed able to meet any situation head-on. He was compassionate, loving and kind with a great sense of humor. 
My husband and I became "snow birds" last winter and did everything together with Gayle and Rick. My conception of Rick was strengthen as we spent so much time together.
It is with such sorrow that I watch my sister mourn the loss of her beloved. I know that with her memories and her strong faith she will be fine. We will all miss Rick's big presence in our lives.

My Dad meant everything to me he was always there to help no matter what. I could not ask for a better father.  He was a family man as well as a godly men.. He had a funny sense of humor I remember when we were younger after going and having ice cream he would walk down the street like he was drunk. Then I would act like I didn't know him... My parent had a awesome relationship and where  happily married for 54 years they where one.
They both depended on each other and the love for each other was unbelievable. Everyone that new My father loved him... He will be missed tremendously by all..  The lord called my dad home on August  9th th 2015 he was reunited with his beloved  middle child Laurie Denise Brown that was sent home on May 27 th 1982 along with his parents and other loved ones and friends.. Love You Daddy your oldest Vicki Alison

Dick and I feel privileged to have known Rick. We wish we could have met sooner. Rick was very kind and always had a smile on his face. We send our deepest sympathy to Gayle and family. Knowing he is with Jesus and that he didn't suffer helps all of us at this time. We will miss him!
Love and prayers, Terie and Dick

Apparently I did not do something correctly, because my message from Sunday August 16, 2015 never got entered into the Guestbook.  I am sorry, but I need to speak about Rick's loss.  I do so from Beaufort, South Carolina.  Terrible, tragic, shocking event.  I initially did not think his early death was possible.  He was such a workhorse and one who could be counted on.  Both my wife and I dearly loved Rick.  Long ago, he was the one who taught me to swim in the "deep end" of Indian Hills Country Club in Kansas City when I was just a young boy.  I was so proud that he was my cousin.  We have many mementos in our home, for which he was responsible.  We walk past and hear them every day.  He is such a loss not just to us but to his most intimate family Gayle, Ricky,  Vicky and Amanda.  Also to his dear brother, Tart (and his dear wife Peggy and their family) and to his dear sister, Katha (and her family and new, dear husband).  And a tremendous loss to the Scottsdale community.  We truly mourn his loss just as you do, but are comforted by Jesus' assurance to us that "in my house are many mansions, and I go there to prepare a place for you."  That's where Rick is, and just as soon as Jesus walked him through the "Pearly Gates," he was greeted warmly by his daughter Laurie and his Mom and Dad, Dorothy and Walt.  You all are in our thoughts and prayers daily.  We love you.  And I am speaking for all of the Bayne's when I say that -- Howard & Rhetta, Dwight & Debbie, and Stuart & Gigi and all of our families as well as our late Mom and Dad, Howard and Bettilou.  We will be with you in thought and prayer at the Memorial Service tomorrow.  May God bless and keep you, make his face to shine upon you, lift up his countenance upon you, and give you His peace.

There are many words that immediately come to mind to describe Rick, all of them exemplify what a good man strives to be. I hope heaven realizes the hardest worker they'll ever know just showed up.

Can't imagine your grief.  We all loved Rich and family.  You all are in our thoughts and prayers.

Love you,

Rhetta Bayne

My deepest sympathy to the family. Just knowing that Rick will be with The Lord brings peace to me.

What a special man. We enjoyed many years working on OASIS projects,  product development and sales with Rick.  God Bless him and  family.

I will miss seeing this wonderful man,and seeing him come into Sams Club to visit Gayle. Every one just loved him. Rest in Peace my friend.

I am so very sorry for the loss of your dear family member and friend. Death is a very difficult thing to have to deal with. I hope that you can find comfort in knowing that, "God is our refuge and strength, a help that is readily found in times of distress."

I am so very sorry for your loss. Death is a very difficult thing to have to deal with. I hope that you can find comfort in knowing that, "God is our refuge and strength, a help that is readily found in times of distress."

 

EVERY OPPORTUNITY... A never to be forgotten witness experience

RICK DIDN'T LIKE ME!
Rick came to our Gourmet Fellowship Bible Study which was both an in-reach and an outreach to people who lived in the area..it was one of the most fruitful ministries Tudi and I have ever been involved in... it was very popular because we would have an informal weekly potluck dinner, a topical Bible study and praise and prayer time.
 I'll never forget when Rick came to visit with his wife Gayle...He was a big man (about 6' 4")  and was rather imposing because he was very husky- sort of a "John Wayne" very athletic type of young guy. If someone said Rick was a tight end for the Chicago Bears... by appearance it would have made sense
 Rick sat directly across from where I was teaching- I had a very close and direct visual of him throughout the class time . Rick never changed his expression the whole night...He had a very stern look on his face and his eyes were fixed on me. He seemed to never even blink...It was very uncomfortable in one way because I couldn't get a read if he was having a good time,  a bad time, or if he just didn't like me... and I concluded in my mind that
he didn't like me!
 
After the meeting was over, as was the custom at our meetings, I asked if anyone had a question...Much to my surprise Rick raised his hand and asked how he could become a Christian...That night Rick accepted Jesus Christ as his Savior - it was an amazing experience to say the least. It definitely taught me to not trust body language! The evening was a demonstration of the power of the Word of God and the Body of Christ


Over these many years since that evening Rick and his wife Gayle and their family have been dear friends to us- even though we are separated by a couple thousand miles (Arizona and Georgia) we have kept in close touch

 We just recently  learned in the last 2 weeks that Rick died of sudden heart failure . Of all the men I know  Rick would have been one of the least likely men that I would have guessed would die so unexpectedly.... 
 He was very active and was always very good-natured yet serious about life 
...He loved to serve and please people ...
That is what he did to his dying day...what a legacy!
Tudi and  I will never forget Rick... he blessed our hearts ...
Many of the above verses from Colossians came into play the initial night I met Rick at our Bible Study group...Over the years it's been a blessing to be with Rick and Gayle in fellowship...
during the many ups and downs in our lives...
they've been authentic and true friends...please now pray for Gayle as she goes through this very difficult time

This email WB newsletter
"HE DIDN'T LIKE ME"
 is dedicated in memory of Rick...
We thank God for Jesus our Savior as described by the Holy Spirit in the verses above... and how Rick and Gayle came into our lives as described in Rick's salvation account through the Gourmet informal Bible study...we have loved them, they have loved us...for the past 35 years! 
 
Ted Sprague
Col 1:28-29
"...we proclaim Jesus...
admonishing and teaching everyone...
with all the energy He provides"

Recently my wife and I got one of the most shocking and depressing phone calls we have ever received. My youngest Sister called to notify us that my Brother-in-law had died suddenly and unexpectedly. At first we were incredulous and could not believe what she was telling us. The first thoughts that came to our minds were how did this happen, and why did this happen?  This is too sudden, this is too unexpected.
It has been difficult for us to wrap our minds around the loss of such a vibrant person and such a close family member in such a sudden and unexpected manner.  My wife and I know the heartache of losing loved ones we lost our only daughter two years ago after her prolonged health issues finally took her from us. However Rick's sudden passing was profoundly shocking to both of us.  As we have slowly come to grips with the loss of Rick I personally felt the need to pour my grief out and put my thoughts on paper. I have always been better at articulating my feels and emotions in written form rather than in a verbal format.  I felt that possibly pouring out my grief on paper would provide some relief concerning my personal anguish and sense of loss from such a close family member. 
With that in mind it is with profound grief and sadness that I write these words of memory about the passing of a member of my family.  Rick Brown was my Brother-in-law. But he was much more than simply my Brother-in-law. Rick was such an integral part of my family that he was more like my older Brother rather than my Brother in law. For 54 years Fredrick Lowell Brown (Rick Brown) was an integral part of my family, a very special and integral part of my family. And I have nothing but fond memories of the man and the way he approached life and his genuine easy going and caring manner.
I am now almost 70 years old. I first met Rick when I was only 14 years old.  Rick was only 19 at the time but he seems much wiser and older than me. When I was growing up we had a Sunday tradition in our family. Each Sunday we went to Church. And each Sunday after church my Mother would prepare a big meal.  The meal usually consisted of fried Chicken, mashed potatoes and gravy, biscuits, and other side dishes.  Each Sunday after church we would gather around the dining-room table at our house on Madison St. in Kansas City, and partake of an early afternoon meal. The first time I met Rick was when my Sister Gayle brought Rick to a Sunday dinner to introduce him to our family. Both Gayle and Rick were attending Baker University in Baldwin Kansas at the time and that is where they had met and began dating. It was also at one of these after church Sunday dinners that Gayle and Rick announced to the family that they had gotten married.
Even today 54 years after the first time I met Rick I still remember that introductory family meal that brought Rick into the Blackwell family. I remember thinking what a neat guy my Sister was introducing to our family. The man my Sister eventually got married to. That first introduction of Rick to us was only the beginning of a long and wonderful marriage between my Sister and Rick that lasted 54 years.  That day at that Sunday meal Rick became an official part of our entire extended family.  And we welcomed him into our family with open arms, and he reciprocated by being the greatest guy any family could wish to have as part of the family. He was part of our family for the next 54 years. And even with his unexpected passing he is still part of our family as the memories of him linger in the individual and collective memories of our family unit.
After graduation from college Gayle and Rick moved to Phoenix and started their family.  And they have been in Phoenix ever since.  I eventually put down my roots in the Kansas City area, and had my own family. I married a wonderful woman that I have been married to for 46 years.  Over the years even given time commitments and geographic distance the terms Gayle AND Rick became the standard family phrase used to designate a team.  Not simply a married couple but two family members who for 54 years were a tandem team bonded through love and caring for one another.  
My Sister recently wrote these words to me.  The words are profound and even after reading them over dozens of time at each re-reading I still find my eyes misting over, my lips beginning to quiver,  and my emotional composure slipping when I think about Rick's passing.  She wrote, If I had to say, he was a perfect man, at least the perfect man for me. This has been such a shock to me so part of me is numb and part of me is screaming and I am completely heartbroken. My life will never be the same without him. We had the best partnership and could sometimes complete each other's thoughts. We were truly one! So half of me is missing. I know that time will help and I will make it, that God will get me thru. 
To me those words sum up Gayle's and Rick's marriage and are the very essence of their relationship. Over 54 years Gayle and Rick were not simply husband and wife they were a partnership formed in love and bonded and solidified over time.  And through all the trials and tribulations that life can throw your way they remained strong to one another and the partnership was never broken.  
Among other things some of the memories I have of Rick are:
His overall easy-going manner.
The way he would smile and kid around not in a mean way but in a good way to put you at ease.
The way he never met a stranger.
The wonderful way he treated my Mother and Father and called them Mom and Dad almost from the first time he met them.
His constant energy and the way he was always doing things and keeping himself busy.  He never procrastinated he just did it.
His even keel approach to life.
In summation I can truly say ------- RIP Rick even with your passing the family circle remains unbroken because our family memories of you will not allow the circle to be broken. You were and you remain an integral part of our family. And no amount of passage of time is going to diminish that fact.  So long Bro you will not be forgotten.

Rick is going to be so missed by everyone who's life he touched.  He was such a special man and we (all of his friends) will cherish our memories of him and through that he will always be with us.  RIP

I am so sorry for your loss. Have wonderful memories of Rick and our fun times at Goldwater's. Blessings and love,
Mary Newell Steed

OBITUARIO

Frederick L Brown

6 enero, 1941 – 9 agosto, 2015

Green Acres Mortuary & Cemetery

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