Walter Ernest Brown

(June 6, 1941 - June 1, 2021)

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Walter E. Brown, 79, passed away at the Powell Valley Care Center on June 1, 2021. 

Walter was the son of Clayton and Elizabeth Irwin Brown, and was born in Powell on June 6, 1941. He graduated with the class of 1959 and attended college. 

In October 1959, Walter joined the Air Force and served until 1965. He said he joined the Air Force to see the U.S. and was first stationed in Paris, France, at Orly Air Force Base. He spent time in several countries throughout the world, including South Africa; Belgian Congo; Hamburg, Germany; Turkey; Iran; Panama; Lebanon; Cuba; Pakistan; India; and the Philippines, to name a few. He was an airframe mechanic. 

He met President John Kennedy when he worked on Air Force One. In Pakistan, he took Jacqueline Kennedy’s gift horse back to Hyannisport, Massachusettes. Someone placed the hay to feed the horse under the hydraulic pump and it leaked on the hay. Everyone was concerned about what to feed the horse since he wouldn’t eat the hay. Walter, who was raised on a farm, told them to put a halter on and let him eat the grass. So, they handed him the halter and it worked perfectly. 

Upon leaving the Air Force, he was a long-haul truck driver for several years, and then returned to farming. In 1972, he married Judith Rose, whom he met through a lonely hearts type club. He found a girl raised on a farm and who had taught school for three years. He had two sisters who were also teachers, a perfect match. 

Walter was very active in high school, in 4-H and took livestock to state fair, as well as FFA, where he became a state farmer. He also played football. Wood and leather-working were hobbies he enjoyed. Later in life, he loved watching football and also liked to fish and camp. 

Walter was preceded in death by his parents, and sisters, Alice VandenBrock and Irma Brown. 

He is survived by his wife Judy; sons, John A. Brown and his son, Levi, of Powell, and from a previous marriage, Clifford Brown (Tammy), of Nampa, Idaho; and daughters, Kathy Brown of Billings and Wanda Brown of Salt Lake City. He is also survived by his brothers, Jim Brown and Lloyd Brown, both of Powell; and sister Carol Christiansen (Ted) of Powell; plus 16 grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren. 

Cremation has taken place and a graveside service is planned for Tuesday, June 22, 2021, beginning at 10 a.m., at Crown Hill Cemetery. 

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