Evan J Brown

Evan J Brown of Hurricane, Utah, formerly of Apple Valley, Utah, at the age of 74 passed away after an accident doing what he loved to do for people which was delivering hay.  He passed away with his family surrounding him on Tuesday, 1st  of June, 2021.

He was born 20 December 1946, in Moab, Utah, to Beth Martineau and Woodrow Brown.  He married Vera Hansen in 1970 in the Salt Lake Temple. They had six children and lived in Richfield, Idaho.  After a divorce in 1984, Evan relocated to the St. George area where he met and remarried Vivian Cotter McLaws in the St. George Temple and became the father to five additional children.

Evan moved to different farming communities in Utah and Colorado while growing up.  He attended high school in Hurricane, Utah, and attended SUSC in Cedar City, learning all he could about agriculture.  He loved calves, pigs and chickens, and working hard on the farm planting, harvesting, irrigating, and repairing machinery.  His greatest love was to work with his children. Buzzing around the farm on a four-wheeler with a child in front or back or both.  This was a love he carried on with his grandchildren.

His interests were working hard on the farm.  His likes were working hard on the farm.  His dislikes were working hard on the farm and his hobby was to work hard on the farm. But when he was just too tired to work any more he was an avid reader.  He would read anything, even the cereal box did not miss his inquisitive eye and then you better prepare for a discussion about whatever he had read. He was very quick to help a neighbor or anyone in need.  If we had the money for every bale of hay he gave away we could be close to rich, not in money, but definitely in blessings.  Evan was a man who always had an opinion and when it came to concerns about the water in the valley you better prepare for a long conversation.  He loved this valley and wanted to talk about a bright future for agriculture for his and our posterity. 

Evan was a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served in many callings.  He was a selfless, caring individual who would have done anything to help his children, grandchildren and neighbors.  He had a deep love for his Savior, Jesus Christ, and wanted to live a good life and return to his Father in Heaven having been a faithful servant.

He is survived by his wife, Vivian Brown of Hurricane; children, Stacy Brown of Hurricane, Danae Brown (Matthew) of Hurricane, Brian McLaws (Kim) of Syracuse Utah, Minnette Brown (John) of Hurricane, Brandi Johnson (Shane) LaVerkin, Utah, Barret Brown (Raelene) of Washington, Utah, Todd Brown (Casey) of Hurricane, Utah, Bridgette Barney (Darren) of Hurricane, Utah, Ben McLaws (Celeste) of Beaver Utah, Brigham McLaws (Natalie) of Hurricane, Utah, Tifany Pledger (Mat) of Portland, Oregon.  He stopped counting at 50 grandchildren and over 10 great-grandchildren; Sisters Josie Smith of Rigby, Idaho, Mindy Sullivan of Hurricane, Utah, Vernie Burner of Hurricane, Utah, LaRue Pearce of Hurricane, Utah, Janette VanLear of Kaysville, Utah and a brother, Eldon Brown of Washington, Utah. 

Funeral services will be Saturday, June 5th  at 11:00 am at the Hurricane North Stake church building, 272 S 700 W in Hurricane.  Friends may call at the same location on Friday, June 4th  at 6:00-8:00 PM and prior to the services at 9:30-10:30 AM on Saturday.  Interment will take place in 
the Hurricane City Cemetery. 

Services may be viewed virtually through Zoom https://zoom.us/j/91248339253 

Arrangements are made under the direction of Hughes Mortuary, 1037 E 700 S St. George, Utah, (435) 674-5000.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Missionary Fund of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.