Ross Evon Brown

Ross Brown
Richfield, Utah

Ross Evon Brown, 82, passed away on February 19, 2025, in Provo, Utah, surrounded by family. Ross was born in Salina, Utah, on May 13, 1942, to LaRue and Lenea Brown of Koosharem, where he was raised. He worked and played on the family farm with his nine brothers and sisters. He attended Richfield High School, where he participated in wrestling, was most preferred man, and graduated with the Class of 1960.

He attended the College of Southern Utah (now Southern Utah University) in Cedar City. In 1964, he joined the Navy and served his country for three years during the Vietnam War on the aircraft carrier USS Franklin D. Roosevelt.

After his service, he returned to school and earned a degree in Business Administration with a minor in Economics. There, he met his wife of 56 years, Kaye Gourley. They were married on December 20, 1968, in the Salt Lake Temple.

Together, Ross and Kaye moved to Richfield, Utah, where they made lifelong friendships, started their family business, and raised five children: Michael, Glen, Craig, Chris, and Lori. Their family has grown to include three daughters-in-law—Alicia, Karin, and Tina; a son-in-law, Collin; 17 grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.

In 1972, Ross established Brown’s Shoe and Boot Repair on Main Street, where he operated for 53 years. He repaired everything from purses to trampolines—anything made with leather—but focused mainly on cowboy boots. He was valued for his skills by nearly everyone in the surrounding counties, and his excellence was renowned across several states. On February 7, he could no longer carry on and had to be carried out by his lifelong friend, Dave Ogden, and his lifelong companion, Kaye, when he tripped and couldn’t get up. Ross wanted to continue working out of loyalty to the community, and because it was where his friends could find him. Even when he agreed not to take in new work that day, he still hoped to recover enough to finish what he had started.

Ross was a devoted member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He served in many callings and cherished the years he served with Kaye in the Manti Temple.

When Ross wasn’t at work, he spent his time coaching Little League baseball, playing racquetball and softball, riding motorcycles, gardening, hunting, and camping at Fishlake. His friends and family have treasured memories of Monday night pool, shooting flippers (slingshots), and intense games of Settlers of Catan or “Trains” (Ticket to Ride).

His favorite pastime was fishing in his little aluminum boat with his brother Dahl, cousin Verl, his wife Kaye, and his kids and grandchildren. He also loved cheering for his favorite teams: the Utah Jazz, BYU football, and the LA Dodgers.

Ross was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, son, brother, cousin, uncle, and friend. He was a humble, hardworking man of great integrity. He leaves behind a legacy of service, love, and friendship. 

 Ross is survived by his wife, Kaye; children: Mike (Alicia), Bountiful; Glen (Karin), South Jordan; Craig (Tina), Cedar City; Chris, Cedar City; and Lori, West Jordan; as well as 17 grandchildren and one great-grandchild; siblings: Melvin “Buzz” (Bonnie), Gwen, Marva Ann (John), LaJune (Chad), LaJuana (Randy), Vivian, Connie; brother-in-law, Weldon; sister-in-law, Elaine. He was preceded in death by his parents and his siblings, Dahl and Carolyn; brothers-in-law, Gerald, Corky, Brent.  

Funeral Services will be held Saturday, March 1, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. in the Richfield 10th Ward Chapel. Viewings will be Friday, February 28, 2025 from 6:00 - 7:00 p.m. at the Magleby Mortuary in Richfield and Saturday morning prior to services at the church from 9:30 - 10:30 a.m. Interment will be in the Koosharem Cemetery with military honors by the Harold Brown American Legion Post #92

Funeral Directors: Magleby Mortuary, Richfield, Salina and Manti. Online guestbook www.maglebymortuary.com

Live streaming can be found below the obituary