Chester Neil Brown, 87

Chester Neil Brown, 87, passed from this life on Nov. 25, 2014, in Hayden, Idaho.

A memorial service will be held Dec. 27 at 11 a.m. at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on Alderson Lane, Bonners Ferry, Idaho.

Chester was born on June 16, 1927 in Webb City, Jasper, Mo., to Thomas Jefferson Brown and Edna Zelia Currier Brown. He was the oldest of nine children.

Chester was preceded in death by his wife, Violet June Brown, infant daughter, Caroline Sue Brown, his parents, brother Thomas Jefferson Brown, Jr, sister Ella Mae Felkins, and grandson Chuck Shobe.

Chester quit high school to enlist in the Navy, where he was stationed in Hawaii on the island of Oahu. After his discharge from the Navy, he returned to Carl Junction, Missouri to finish high school and graduated in 1948.

After graduation, Chester made a trip to Idaho with a friend and enrolled in telegrapher school in Lewiston, Idaho. This is where he met Violet June Jarnagin, better known as Bunnie, who was working at Erb Hardware. They were married June 10, 1950, at Bunnie’s family farm outside of Craigmont, Idaho.

After completing telegrapher school he got a job as a railroad depot agent. This was his chosen profession his entire life.

Chester truly enjoyed the outdoors. Most family vacations were camping trips around North Idaho but his favorite spot was Robinson Lake. He was an extremely strong man who enjoyed logging for firewood. He was often seen at many of his grandchildren’s sporting events.

He had been a member of the Knights of Pythias, Masons and Shriners.

On Jan. 26, 2013, he was baptized a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He had a desire to live a better life and become a disciple of Jesus Christ.

Chet is survived by his children Janet Elaine Shobe of Coeur d’Alene Idaho, Neil Wayne (Diane) Brown of Rathdrum, Idaho, Karen Marie (Les) Wright of Pe Ell, Washington, Ruth (Steve) Carey of Bonners Ferry Idaho, Martin (Becky) Brown of Harrington, Washington and Richard William (Kim) Brown of Bonners Ferry.

He leaves behind numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Chester’s surviving siblings are Etta Mae (Leroy) Powers, Betty Louise Budd, Riley Oscar Brown, Eva Jean (John) Pequignot, Molly Ann (Raymond) Seward all in Missouri.