A kind, gentle, intelligent man, Joseph Francis Brown, “Fran” left this earthly existence on Friday, May 17th, 2019 at the age of 76 years. Fran was born in Murray Utah on March 15, 1943 to Elizabeth Jane Parker and Arvel Leroy Brown.
He attended Murray High School, was vice president of his Junior Class, loved and played football and basketball, and rarely missed a Jazz game. Fran was proud of joining the ROTC before graduation, luckily, he got very sick and received an honorable discharge before being sent to Vietnam.
He married his high school sweetheart, Nancy Cox, shortly after graduation. They made a good life together and raised 3 wonderful children, Lorie Ann Madsen (Duke) Enterprise UT, Gordon Francis Brown (Carrie) West Valley SLC, UT and Chantell Leah McNeese, (Mike) Surprise, AZ.
Fran loved spending time with his family fishing and boating on Lake Powell. He was an excellent shot with a riffle and shotgun, Hardly anyone could beat him in a skeet match. He loved his dogs and became a fine trainer of field trial/upland game dogs.
He loved to dance and could make his partner really look good. He and his current wife, Terry Coppin won a dance contest on their honey moon cruise with 17 of his extended family members.
Fran was a vice president for Walker Bank for 19 years. He worked for Flint Ink and eventually formed his own successful same day delivery business, Direct Delivery. He didn’t love farming but when Terry bought a farm in Green River, UT he learned how to put up hay and took pride in doing it good enough for even the pickiest horse person. That ain’t easy!
He also was a builder of porches, decks, and a Dome Home. He really did have a lot of talent. He never seemed to need the spotlight in order to feel good about himself and his accomplishments. He lived his life with quiet, self assured dignity.
Five years ago, he was diagnosed with stage 3 lung cancer. He survived the chemo only to slowly loose himself to the ravages of Alzheimer. He was preceded in death by both his parents and his only brother LeRoy Brown. He is survived by his wife Terry Coppin, his 3 children and 19 grandchildren.
The family and Terry would like to express how grateful we are to have had the kind and sensitive people at Good Life Assisted Living in Elmo, UT and CNS of Price, UT who cared for him kept him safe and comfortable through the final months of his life.
He has been sorely missed and will continue to be missed by all who were lucky enough to know him.
Funeral services will be held at Larkin Sunset Gardens 1950 E. Dimple Dell Rd (10600 S.) Sandy, UT.
Formal service 11:00 to 12:00 and from 12:00 to 1:00 for a informal gathering in The Court Yard.
There will be a gathering of friends the following week in Green River.