St. George, Utah - Wendell Brown passed away peacefully in the early morning hours of December 16, 2021, surrounded by his family who felt honored to be there for his graduation. His passing marks the beginning of a journey that Wendell would surely look at as a new opportunity and adventure.

Wendell was born on May 10, 1947. He enjoyed telling others of his boyhood and growing up in Centerville—from his first job getting chased by neighborhood dogs as a paperboy to leaving the area to attend school at Dixie College. Wendell was drafted into the US army and served his country from 1966 to 1968, one year of which was served in Vietnam. After graduating from Dixie College with an associate degree, Wendell attended Southern Utah State College and graduated with a degree in steel fabrication, landing a job at St. George Steel—where he worked his way up the company while raising a young family. Work was entirely fulfilling for Wendell—especially when he founded Wendell Brown Construction in 1990—as it afforded him both a creative outlet and challenged him physically.

Wendell married Brenda Kaye Graff on August 28, 1971, in the St. George Temple. They raised their family in St. George, loving the area and all it had to offer their growing family.

Later in life, Wendell married Terri Boardman, whom he called the love of his life. They were married in Salt Lake City on September 17, 1988. They were sealed a year later in the Salt Lake Temple. Unbeknownst to many, Wendell and Terri were teenagers when they met. Wendell started pursuing Terri when he was 14 and she was 13. In fact, Wendell's mother actually drove them on their first date. Their first kiss was on Terri's front porch while they listened to The Lettermen on Terri's record player. The two dated all through high school and were able to reconnect after many years separated from one another. Together, they made their life for the past 33 years in St. George, raising their kids and becoming part of their community.

Wendell thrived on creating inside jokes with others, enjoyed laughing at puns and jokes he could tell again and again to those who would listen - especially his grandchildren. He loved learning new things that he believed could improve his quality of life. Wendell was an amazing grandfather who doted on his grandkids in a way that made them feel incredibly special, loved, and seen—especially in their toddler years. Wendell's interests outside of family included inventing ways to make his life and home more inviting, playing scrabble with anyone who wanted to get beaten by him, baking his home-made white bread for visitors, perfecting his growing and harvesting of garden-fresh tomatoes, and expanding every square inch of his home for others to enjoy. Those who knew him best in this life completely understand that in the eternities Wendell will be something to behold - his mind fully unhampered by the chains of mortality.

Wendell is survived by his beloved wife Terri and their children Brad Brown (Heather), Travis Campbell, Greg Brown (Rachel), Mike Brown (Silene), Suzanne Wallis (Ryan), Britany Bennett (JJ), Lindsay Foster (Brad), Amy Heaton (Bevan), and Ashlie Brown as well as their 35 grandchildren, one great grandchild, and many nieces and nephews who viewed him as a grandfather. Wendell is preceded in death by his parents Richard and Ruby, his brothers Stephen, Tracy, and Duff, and his grandson, Michael. We will most miss his vivaciousness for life, his eagerness to spend time with those he loved the kindness in his eyes, and all of the little idiosyncrasies that made him exactly who he is.

Funeral services will be on Saturday, December 18, 2021, at 11:00 a.m., at the Bloomington Stake Center, 200 West Brigham Road, St. George, Utah. A visitation will be held Saturday, prior to services, from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.at the Stake Center.

Those who are unable to attend the funeral services are invited to view the service from the following ink: https://zoom.us/j/5244339801?pwd=eGxvMjI1SVBNMVlJZjJiZCt3WWlldz09 .

Graveside services will be held on Monday, December 20, 2021, at 2:00 p.m. at the Centerville City Cemetery.

Wendell Brown Funeral Service Program