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Fon Ray Brown, Jr.

10/05/1933 - 08/08/2017
Service Date: 08/12/2017
Service Time: 11:00 AM
Service Location: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Grandview First Ward, 1455 N. Harris Drive, Mesa, Arizona

Fon Ray Brown Jr., born October 5, 1933, passed away peacefully in his sleep on August 8, 2017, in Mesa Arizona. He was born to Fon Ray Brown Sr. and Esta Marcella Webb in Hyrum, Utah at home.

He was a long-awaited child and his mother always felt like he was a miracle. Fon was raised in Hyrum Utah, and spent a large amount of his time playing with cousins, working on the farm, milking cows and herding sheep. He worked with his father on the dry Farm in Idaho. He learned from his father, that bailing wire and duct tape can fix almost anything. He married Joy Brown in May of 1953. He finished his bachelor’s degree at Utah State University while enrolled in ROTC. He then served in the military as an officer in the Army Signal Corps for 2 years. Fon was brilliant in electrical component design. He worked at Hughes Aircraft in Culver City California, and was requested back to join the team at Utah State University for teaching, advising and working in the Radiance Lab. At this time, he completed his upper division courses. He was a co-owner at Wescor designing and eventually started his own business, Mecca. He completed his work at Motorola until he retired. 

Our Dad, Fon, was adept at building. He loved to work with wood and build things including a house, furniture, doll beds, and knives and left this legacy for us to remember him. Fon loved to see things grow and was noted for his beautiful vegetable gardens; however, the lawn was not included in that category. He moved to Mesa Arizona in 1983-84 and has lived in Mesa since then. He was married for 65 years to his beloved wife Joy. He will be missed dearly. 

He is survived by his wife, Joy Jackson Brown, his children: Troy Lane Brown, Jeff O. Brown, Fon Ray Brown III, Marcella (Marcy) B. Rowley, Christiaan J. Brown and Matthew Loren Brown. He is also survived by 32 grandchildren and 30 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in his death by his parents, his son Darrin Adam Brown and his son Mark Allen Brown. 

Funeral services will be held Saturday, August 12, 2017, at 11:00 am, preceded by a viewing from 10:00 -10:45 am, at the Mesa Grandview 1st Ward located at 1455 North Harris, Mesa, Arizona. A graveside service will be held on Wednesday, August 16, 2017, at 12:00 pm, at the Hyrum Cemetery, 609 Center Avenue, Hyrum, Utah. Flowers, web posting or other correspondence may be referred to Bunker’s Garden Chapel at 33 North Centennial Way, Mesa, Arizona, 85201. Phone – 480-696-6883.

Condolences

  • Dear Aunt Joy and Brown cousins,
    I am saddened to hear about the passing of Uncle Fon. I have many sweet memories growing up before you moved to Arizona. One of them being walking down the street to visit you guys when we’d go to visit Grandpa and Grandma. Then having all the fun reunions during the summer after you moved away. I know that a long-awaited, joyous reunion is happening right now between him, Grandpa and Grandma and those two sweet sons that are there. Please know you are all in my thoughts and prayers. I love you!

  • Dear gramma Joy,
    We are sadden by the passing of grandpa Fon.
    A great and kind man.
    You are in our thoughts and prayers.
    Kris and Jane Bitton

  • My precious family. How heart broken I am. I have known and loved you since I was 15. Fon was there and supported me during some of my darkest hours. I remember French fries every Friday night. The wisdom he shared with me. Most of the time he was silent support, but I always knew he was there. He loved my children, especially Craig, and was there to give him love when he needed it. He had a huge heart. He touched the lives of many people. The world was a better place because of him. Fly well dad, fly well.

  • I’m very sorry to hear this news. The browns took me in when I was 12 years old and I lived with them for a few months. They were the kindest people I ever met and had a huge impact on my life although I doubt they ever knew it. I didn’t know that Mr. Brown was an officer in the Signal Corps. I ended up joining the Army myself when I was 18 and spent 20 years in the Signal Corps. I wish I had been able to talk to him about that. I remember him teaching me to make spaghetti the first night I was at their house in Mesa after they picked me up from the airport. I regret not reaching out sooner, my deepest condolences to the family.

  • Sharlynne Russo

    Aunt Joy and all,

    So sorry to hear the news. You are in our thoughts.

    Shar, Chris, and family.

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