John Clifton Brown

Jack was born at home, in Salt Lake City, on January 6, 1932, to Schley Lyle and Jeannette Droubay Brown, and grew up in Sugarhouse on McClelland Street; a member of Richards Ward. He attended Forrest Elementary School, Irving Jr. High, graduated from South High School in 1951, and attended the University of Utah.

He was drafted by the Army during the Korean War and served as a cook until the time of an honorable, medical discharge within his first year of his service to our Country.

He married his high school sweetheart and bride of 62 years, Mary Ann R. Brown, in the Salt Lake Temple on June 8, 1955, officiated by LeGrand Richards. Together they lived life, and raised a family, in the Salt Lake area, with a short residency in Montana. As a young couple they were blessed with three adopted children, who grew up locally and now have families of their own; creating an additional blessing of five grandchildren. The children and families are as follows, in birth order:

Daughter, Lori Williams of Fort Smith, Arkansas; Star Williams and Sky Williams, also of Fort Smith.

Son, Brad Brown of South Jordan, Utah; Katie Brown of Salt Lake City.

Daughter, Jenny Smith (Dave) of Midvale, Utah; Tim Smith, also of Midvale and Johanna Smith of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.

Jack was of the LDS faith and served in many capacities within the Church; he was Bishop of the Kenwood 2nd Ward and Branch President at the Canyon Creek Assisted Living. He and his wife, Mary Ann, also served a mission together in Baton Rouge, Louisiana from 1988 – 1989. Most recently, he was an active member of the Midvalley 5th Ward.

In his professional life, Jack started his career in banking and then trained as a real estate appraiser, working for UDOT for approximately 13 years. He left UDOT to start his own appraisal firm and created a successful company, John C. Brown & Associates, which he operated until his full retirement, at the age of 80!

Jack loved people in general and never met a stranger! He loved to talk to people and made a friend everywhere he went. His favorite pastime was spending time with his grandkids whether playing UNO, fishing or taking a road trip, he loved each one of them dearly and made sure that they knew it.

He loved to travel in general; he and Mary Ann had the opportunity to travel to Europe and extensively throughout the United States, many times in the comfort of one of their several RVs. They also had a beautiful cabin, built on the shore of Henry’s Lake, just outside of Yellowstone, where they spent many happy seasons fishing, snowmobiling and just relaxing with friends and family.

Jack loved life and had many other interests; he loved to bake cookies (a grandkid favorite!), golf, fish, hunt, ski, painting, photography and spending time outdoors. He loved his pets and left his latest companion, Fritz, his schnauzer, still watchful and longing for his master’s return home.

He loved watching old westerns on TV and classic old-time movies, most were memorized word for word. He especially loved listening to music and singing along; his favorites were Frank Sinatra, Nat King Cole, and anything from the Rat Pack or Gershwin Brothers.

Toward the end of his life, Jack received excellent care at Silverado and then St. Marks Hospital; a special thanks to Chelsea, Alyssa and Nate for the love and concern you showed him, and our family, through his final hours.

Jack’s contagious smile, hardy laugh and investment into the lives of his family defined him; it was who he was and what he lived for. We miss you terribly dear husband, dad and grandpa; we will love you always and hold you close in our hearts forever.

Jack’s memorial service will take place on Friday, August 4, 2017 at 2:00 p.m. at the Wasatch Lawn Mortuary; 3401 S. Highland Drive in S.L.C. Friends may visit with the family Thursday evening from 6:00 -8:00 p.m. and one hour prior to the service.