Mesa, AZ / Hurricane, UT - Philip Lewis Brown, Sr., 68, was called back home on February 28, 2012 in Weleetka OK, while living his lifelong dream of living on a ranch. He came to this earth on September 5, 1943 in Mesa, AZ to Joseph Lee and Marjorie Lewis Brown. Phil married the love of his life, Brenda Torrence in Mesa, AZ on June 28, 1961. They were later solemnized in the Mesa, AZ LDS Temple in 1964. They had 50 wonderful years of marriage. They had 9 children: Shari Thompson (Kent), Phil, Jr. "Skip" (Terri), Sonja Brown (deceased), Sandee Cochran (Cliff), Henry (Allison), Steffanie Brown (Howard Church), Stacie Callister (Keith), Marc (DenDra), Kevin (Tracie). He also had 30 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren with one more on the way.

Phil grew up in Mesa, AZ and was a proud fireman. He was always excited when Brenda would bring the kids to the station for a visit. He would let the kids play on the firetrucks, slide down the poles and buy them a soda from the machine.

Phil was a great husband, father, brother, son, and most of all a grandpa. He always seemed to make car rides fun and the long drives would seem much shorter. After years of raising kids, he was finally able to live his lifelong dream of living on a ranch that he and his wife bought in Oklahoma.

Phil loved to travel, and he loved sports. He would drive for hours just to watch his children and grandchildren play in many different sporting events. He was a fantastic coach and made sure all of the kids had the correct body form, from swinging a baseball bat to shooting hoops. He knew all sports inside and out, passing his passion on to his kids and grandkids. Everyone would laugh at grandpa when he was singing, because if he didn't know the words to a song, he would just make them up as he went, usually ending up with a whole new song. He was known for his love of food. Nothing was ever wasted, even if he was full or didn't like it. He would polish all the plates before they left the table.

Phil was a jack of all trades. He drove an ice truck, was an appliance repairman, serviced shopping carts and of course a firefighter where he retired after 21 years of service.

He was a loyal BYU and Cubs fan, never missing a game. If he was unable to watch them on TV, he was known to listen on the car radio, regardless of the temperature outside.

Phil loved his family very much, and not one of us ever questioned that. He will be missed dearly. We will never forget his bouncing belly as he laughed, his love for mashed potatoes, and his bright blue eyes as he walked into a room. His story telling was always a favorite with the kids. They always loved hearing about his childhood and stories passed down from his parents.

Family reunions will never be the same without Phil sneaking food and desserts before getting caught by Mom. He had a very sweet and loving way about him that landed him many lifelong friends. He was loved by everyone who knew him and was very accepting of anyone who came into our family.

Phil had big dreams and never missed out on an opportunity to pursue them. In 1980, he moved his family from Arizona to Missouri to live on a ranch, from there it was back to Mesa for a few more years. In 1988, the family moved to Utah where all of the younger kids went through school and got married. After Kevin graduated high school it was off to Kirtland, NM for 7 years and then back to Utah where most of their kids resided. Then 2 years ago the opportunity arose that took him and his wife to OK to purchase a ranch with their son, Phil Jr. They worked side-by-side to the end.

Phil grew up in the LDS church where he held many callings. We are so grateful for eternal families, and knowing that this is only goodbye for a little while. We love you Dad, "Crampa," friend, eternal companion and will miss you.

Funeral services will be held Friday, March 9, 2012 at 12:00 p.m. at the Santa Clara LDS 9 ^th Ward Chapel, 3680 Pioneer Parkway, Santa Clara, Utah. Visitations will be held Thursday evening, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m at Metcalf Mortuary, 288 West St. George Blvd., St. George, Utah and on Friday, prior to services, from 11:00 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. at the Chapel. Interment will follow in the Hurricane City Cemetery, Hurricane, Utah. Arrangements entrusted to the care of Metcalf Mortuary, (435) 673-4221.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Philip Brown Memorial Fund at Wells Fargo Bank.