Fred A. Brown, 82, of Libby
Obit Brown
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Fred Austin Brown, 82, longtime Libby educator and mayor, died on June 3, 2012, at Libby Care Center.
He was born Oct. 26, 1929, to Elwood and Grace (Payne) Brown in Libby. He attended elementary and high school in Libby, graduating from Libby High School in 1947.
He went on to the University of Montana and graduated in 1951. Shortly after graduation he enlisted in the U.S. Army and served in the Korean War as a forward observer, attaining the rank of sergeant.
He returned to Missoula to attend graduate school. In 1954 he was hired by Ralph Tate to teach at Libby High School, where during his 33-year career he taught chemistry, physics, biology, art, speech and debate, building trades, and finally an innovative forestry class.
He retired from teaching in 1987. During his teaching career he was awarded a National Science Scholarship and attended summer sessions at South Dakota State University and Idaho State University.
Libby was his home and he cared deeply about it.
In 1961 Fred was appointed to fill a vacant position on the Libby City Council, serving as alderman until 1973 when he was elected Mayor of Libby and served in that capacity for 24 years.
During his tenure as mayor, he facilitated numerous infrastructure upgrades, including a new sewer plant, paving and sidewalk improvements, and city beautification. He was particularly honored by an appointment by former student, Gov. Marc Racicot, to serve on the Montana Crime Board.
In 1985, Fred became an official member of St. Joseph Catholic Church after having been a choir member for many years and raising his children in the Catholic faith.
He was a charter member of the Libby Jaycees, and a member of the Elks, the Libby Chamber of Commerce and the Cabinet View Country Club.
He was awarded the Chamber Citizen of the Year in 1985, and was Nordicfest King in 1988. He was admitted to the Libby High School Hall of Fame in 1985 and in 2008 the Fred Brown Pavilion was built near the banks of the Kootenai River in his honor.
Fred met his wife Marilee on a blind date in 1948. They were married in 1952 and together raised their family of eight children.
He was a man of many talents, possessing a beautiful singing voice, wood-working skills, and a tremendous worth ethic, which he passed on to his children.
In 2005, Fred was diagnosed with Parkinson’s and later, Lewy Body Dementia. He was admitted to the Libby Care Center for several years where his sweet smile and disposition endeared him to the excellent Care Center staff.
Fred is preceded in death by his parents, two brothers Harvey Brown, Kenneth Brown, sisters Eva Wilkinson and Clita Mae Schmidt, and his little grandson Matthew John Gring.
He is survived by his wife, Marilee, children Michael Brown (Maria) of Kalispell, Barbara Magone (Terry) of Libby, Sr. Julie Brown, RSM, of Joplin, Mo., Paul Brown of Libby, Peggy Schultz of Missoula, Andrea Brown (Bruce) of Portland, Ore., Jennifer Brown (Darryl) of Edmonds, Wash., and Frank Brown (Dana) of Ronan.
He has been blessed with 26 grandchildren and numerous great-grandchildren.
Fred’s family wishes to thank the community of Libby for the respect and honor he has always been given. We are very proud of him and will always miss him.
Parish vigil and Rosary will be Thursday, June 7, 2012 with viewing from 1 to 7 p.m. and Rosary at 7 p.m.
Mass of the Resurrection will be 11 a.m. Friday, June 8, 2012, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Libby.
Arrangements are by Schnackenberg & Nelson Funeral Home in Libby.