Lyle Harmon Browning, 83 of Parker, Arizona passed away at his home on September 28, 2023. Lyle was born in Lincoln County, Wyoming, on July 3, 1940, to Velma Harmon and Lyle Browning. He was the fourth of six children, including sisters Shirley, Ella Mae, and Marie, and brothers Royce and Ted. He grew up in the Rigby and Roberts areas of Southern Idaho, graduating from Roberts High School in 1958. He married Nedra Wiswell in 1962, and they were blessed with their daughter Nancy in 1967. He tragically lost Nedra and Nancy in a car accident just 18 months later. He held them both in his heart forever. He later married Margie Parris and became Dad to her kids, Susan and Robert Parris. Margie and Lyle together added daughter Jill to complete their family. They later divorced. Lyle met Nancy Clark, and they spent the last 38 years together. With his partnership with Nancy, Lyle gained bonus daughters Lori and Kathy.
Lyle was never afraid of work and had many careers to be proud of. Growing up in Southern Idaho, he had tales of working the fall potato harvest as young as 10 years old with his siblings. While living in Utah, Oregon, and Idaho, he was a Finance Manager for Farm Credit. In his time living in North Idaho, he owned several small businesses, ranched, and was a real estate developer. In Arizona, Lyle was the original Riverboat Captain of the Colorado Belle. If you visited Laughlin in the 80's and 90's and traveled on the Colorado Belle, chances are Lyle was your captain. He had the best personality and someone always wanted to buy Dad's meal or drink when he stopped at the Regency Casino after work and often they could get him to sing! He and Nancy spent many fun times in Laughlin and at their home at Katherine's Landing. Dad always had a hard time not working, and during his retirement years, he and Nancy moved to Parker, AZ, and he worked for the University of Arizona as an Instructional Specialist for Mohave and La Paz County Extension offices. This work took him to schools and 4-H events, as well as agricultural and horticultural events up and down the Colorado River. Lyle was a Master Gardener and could answer any plant or landscape questions you might have.
In his youth, Lyle played football & baseball and raised hell with friends. He was athletic and smart. Always up for a good time, he could talk to anyone and carried that skill throughout his life. In his 20's he got his pilot's license and flew for fun for many years. He had a great singing voice and loved country music. He had a love for animals and grumbled when we girls coaxed another stray home, but always let them stay with us on the ranch, then grumbled more when they had a litter of puppies! Lyle liked to travel and had visited areas across the US and around the world including Australia, and many countries in Central America. With the arrival of Grandchildren, he made many treks to their ball games, graduations, and all the important events. Dad met friends everywhere he went and held lifelong friends Burleigh and Mable Tomchak close to his heart.
Lyle is survived by and dearly loved by his partner Nancy Clark, and children Susan Kvern (Tony) and Jill Exner (Jeff), as well as the bonus girls in his life Lori McIlroy (Mark) and Kathy Burnett (Steve), Son-in-law Craig Kvern, Grandchildren Heather Kvern, Julie Kammers, (Bryce) Tanner Exner & Brady Exner as well as, Nancy's grandchildren Ryan McIlroy, Jessica Lopez ( Michael), Marshall Burnett, and Madi Burnett and great-grandchildren Grayson & Bennett Lopez, his Sister, Marie Strong and many nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents, wife Nedra, daughter Nancy, and siblings Shirley Bridges, Ella Mae Mitchell, Royce Browning & Ted Browning. Lyle bragged about all his kids, grandkids, and sons-in-law. We will all miss Dad's never-ending support and encouragement for all we did.
Our special thanks go to Kathy for her love, care, and incredible nursing skills with Dad in his final days. Memorials in Lyle's name can be made to River Valley Hospice Care or a charity of your choice. A private family memorial in Annis, Idaho will be held at a later date.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at WWW.PARKERFH.COM for the Browning family.
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