Loa V. Brown

Loa Virgil Brown, 89, our loving and generous father, grandfather, great-grandfather and brother, peacefully passed through the veil, Monday, August 10, 2009 at his home.

He was born March 19, 1920 in Duncan, Arizona to Major Lee Brown and Louisa Lilywhite Brown.

Loa grew up in Arizona and graduated from Mesa High School with honors in track, drama and art in 1938. Following graduation, Loa obtained training in airplane engine repair and maintenance. Gaining employment at Southwest Airways he rose to the position of lead mechanic and inspector of the military planes used by Southwest to train British and Chinese pilots for World War II.

In 1942, Loa joined the Army Air Force Reserve and served his country during the war as a mechanic for numerous military aircraft. While serving at the Mose Lake Air Base, Loa was introduced to the sweetheart of his life, Ruth Donaldson. They married on February 28, 1945 in the Salt Lake LDS Temple. Together they raised a family of three daughters and two sons in Ogden, Utah.

Loa graduated from Utah State University with a B.A. degree in industrial technology for building construction and Master''s Degrees in science and education. Loa taught in the Ogden School District at Ogden High, Washington Junior High and Ben Lomond High Schools. He taught industrial arts, English, Math and small engine repair.

Loa was accomplished in working with leather, wood and metals and instilled his ideals of craftsmanship, design and excellence in many of his students. For eight consecutive years he received a Certificate of Achievement given by the Ford Motor Company for students who had received prizes in national competitions. For two consecutive years, his school and students earned the 1st place trophy for most points earned in the State Industrial Arts competitions.

When not teaching in the summer months Loa built fine homes with the help of his father-in-law and brothers-in-law.

Loa was active in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He faithfully served in Elders Quorum presidencies, Branch presidencies, Sunday School presidencies, Stake and Ward clerks.

After retiring from teaching Loa and Ruth served an 18 month service mission in Central Ogden. His skills at home repair and wood-working blessed the lives of many individuals. In their later years, Loa and Ruth worked regularly in the Ogden LDS Temple.

Loa enjoyed camping, fishing, boating and traveling with his family, in-laws and relatives. He was exceptionally patient when boating, teaching his children, their friends, aunts, uncles, nephews, nieces and ward members how to water ski. He was very generous in sharing his boat with family and friends on fishing trips to Yellowstone and Flaming Gorge.

Surviving Loa are his children, Loy (Luann) Brown, Michelle (Steve) Barker, Michael (Jan) Brown, Stacey (Walt) Gilmore, Carol (Curtis) Tanner; a brother, Gerald Brown; sisters, Gwen Waite, Chlea "Peg" Mortensen; 23 grandchildren and 23 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his beloved wife, Ruth, daughter, Robin, brothers, John Major, Lee and Philroy Brown, sisters, Beatrice Brown, Eleanor Romney, and two grandsons, Benjamin Brown and Kyle Gilmore.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, August 15th at 11 a.m. at the Burch Creek Stake Center, 4955 Adams Avenue, South Ogden.

Friends may call Friday from 6 to 8 p.m. at Lindquist''s Ogden Mortuary, 3408 Washington Blvd. and Saturday from 10 to 10:45 a.m. at the Stake Center.

Interment, Lindquist''s Washington Heights Memorial Park, 4500 Washington Blvd.

Send condolences to the family at: www.lindquistmortuary.com