Anthony Ray Brown, Age 86, passed away March 2, 2021, at home of natural causes attendant to age.
Born June 28, 1934, in Salt Lake City, Utah to Anthony Morelos Brown and Nellie Weiler. Married Merilyn Beth Herzog on August 31, 1956, in the Salt Lake Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Ray served in the U.S. Army from July 1953 thru July 1956 and was stationed in Germany for most of that time.
Ray was a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, serving in various callings throughout his life. He had a strong testimony of the Lord Jesus Christ and loved to share that testimony with everyone.
He was a successful business owner of the NAPA Auto Parts store in Sandy, Utah for many years. He later worked as a greeter at Walmart and thoroughly enjoyed using his “people person” skills in meeting people. Ray could strike up a conversation with anyone and was beloved of many.
One of Ray’s favorite places to visit was Lake Powell. His kids talked him into purchasing an older used boat as his first boat when they were pre-teens, and the family was hooked on boating after their first outing. He would take his family to beautiful Lake Powell many times during the summer. He loved boating the beautiful canyons and watching his kids water ski in the warm water. Friends and family that knew of Ray’s boating antics have said that the devil came out when he got behind the wheel of the boat. Yellowstone National Park was another of his favorites. His kids remember him placing marshmallows on the roof of the car so the bears would climb on the top of the car to eat them while they were inside. He loved taking his family on a vacation each summer. Because of his love for these places, his children have also gained a love for visiting them and still travel there often.
Ray is survived by his children, Michelle Louise Brown, Shallon Lynette (Bryan) Atwood, Sharmaine Elizabeth (Chris) Swain, and Kenneth Ray (Vanett) Brown; 12 grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; five brothers, Russell, Orson, Michael, Miles, and Weiler; five sisters, Elaine, Suzanne, Dianne, Kathy, and Leona. Preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, Gaylen Weiler and Kenneth Weiler; one sister, Claire Jo Anne; and one grandson, Travis Bryan Atwood.
The family would like to give a heartfelt thanks to Nikki Rodrigue of Active Hospice and Ebony Carter of Homewell Senior Care for their wonderful and loving care for Ray during his final months.
Funeral services will be held Monday, March 8, 2021, at noon in the Cottonwood 12th Ward Chapel, 1750 East Spring Lane (5150 So.), Holladay, Utah. A viewing will precede the service from 11:00 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. Interment at Wasatch Lawn Memorial Park, 3401 So. Highland Drive, Salt Lake City, Utah. Services will be streamed for those unable to attend.
Please wear a mask and observe social distancing.
