George Merrill Brown

Koosharem, Utah - George Merrill Brown, age 91, died August 14, 2015 in Ames, Iowa. He was born April 24, 1924, in Koosharem, Utah, to Rhoda Ann Anderson and Ebenezer Cornelius Brown. He was the youngest of seven children. George grew up in humble circumstances, living without indoor plumbing and electricity for the first twelve years of his life. George enlisted in the United States Army in 1943, and served in Europe from 1945-1946, assigned to the 11th Armored Division. George met his future wife, Elaine Valentine, on a blind date. They were married on April 7, 1948. The couple moved to Logan, Utah, where George attended Utah State Agriculture College, now known as Utah State University, graduating in 1951. He then continued his education at the College of Veterinary Medicine at Colorado State University. He graduated third highest in his class in 1954, one of three in his class to graduate with “high distinction”. George had a distinguished veterinary career. He spent the majority of his professional life working in Ames, Iowa for the U.S. Department of Agriculture at the National Animal Disease Center. During his tenure there he was a guest lecturer at the College of Veterinary Medicine at Iowa State University, a member of the International committee on Bacteriology, co-authored numerous articles on brucellosis, and presented papers at several national and international Veterinary symposiums. Additionally, George had a long and distinguished career in the United States Army Reserve. He retired as a colonel in 1984, and was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal. In his later years he enjoyed golf and jogging. He shot two holes-in-one and competed in many running competitions, including the Iowa Senior Olympics. He amassed a collection of trophies and medals, often winning his age division. He will be remembered as a man of great patriotism, generosity, loyalty, patience, and kindness; who always found his greatest joy in his family. He will be missed, but is now enjoying the love of his family and friends that preceded him. George is survived by his wife, Elaine; his daughter and son-in-law, Annette and Jim Anderegg; his son and daughter-in-law, Bob and Lies Brown; his daughter, Jeanine Brown; his daughter and son-in-law, Diane and Kim Anglesey; and his son and daughter-in-law, David and Cindy Brown; as well as 22 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren; brother-in-law: Max Woolley of Hagerman, Idaho. He was preceded in death by siblings: LaRue Brown, Verl Brown, Marguerite Coleman, Geneta Bell, Virginia Stoker, and Blanche Woolley. A memorial will be held on Aug. 29 at 1:30 in Ames, Iowa, at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Church, 2524 Hoover Avenue. Funeral services for George will be held on Saturday, Sept. 5, 2015 at 1:00 P.M. in the Koosharem LDS Ward Chapel, where friends may visit with the family one hour prior to the services. Burial with military honors accorded by the Harold Brown American Legion Post #92 and the Hill Air Force Base Honor Guard will be in the Koosharem Cemetery under the care of the Springer Turner Funeral Home of Richfield and Salina, Utah. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Wounded Warriors Project at woundedwarriorproject.org