"Ed" Edwin R. Brown

     Ed Brown saddled his colt and swung his leg over gently for one last circle.  On the far side of the sagebrush sea, he rode over the river Jordan, split reins in hand.

     Ed passed from this life at St. Luke’s Medical Center in Twin Falls on September 2, 2023 at the age of 81, surrounded by his four children and his wife of 59 years. 

     He was born on June 7, 1942 in Twin Falls and raised south of Kimberly, on the family farm and ranch.  He enjoyed hunting, fishing, cowboying and his siblings.  Many adventures in the South Hills and around the ranch.

     After graduating from Kimberly High School, Ed furthered his education in Moscow, Idaho.  He earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Animal Husbandry and an Associates in Business.  He graduated from the University of Idaho in 1964.  While attending college he met Clarissa Brodhead at roping practice.  The two fell in love and married in July 31, 1964 in Dayton, Washington shortly after he graduated.

     Ed worked as a loan officer for National Bank of Commerce in Kennewick and Newport, Washington.  Their first son – Devin was born in Newport in 1965.  Soon after, Ed began work with his father-in-law – Dwight Brodhead, building the Northwest Roping School.  While in the Tri-Cities area their second son – Destry was born in 1966.  After a short time working at the Gooding County Extension Office, Ed took a job working for J.R. Simplot managing the highland stables – renting horses, riding and roping lessons.  Lots of laughs and stories of horses out smarting people and returning to the stables without a rider. 

     On May 14, 1969 in a rodeo arena, he was born again. 

     Ed and Clarissa’s only daughter – Deann was born in 1969.  In 1973 Ed moved the family to Murtaugh to work for Howard Conrad Ranches.  Ed took care of the commercial cow herd, trained colts and showed at AQHA shows.  He enjoyed learning the AQHA pedigree lines, and learning the varied show disciplines.  He helped earn points on several stallions and mares in halter, reining and working cow-horse.  He also enjoyed cow cutting. 

     From taking care of someone else’s cows. Ed decided to buy his own place.  In 1978 Ed and Clarissa purchased a ranch on the banks of Thorn Creek.  He paid for the down payment with an IOU and his signature on a napkin.

     Four years later in 1982 their third son – Brian was born.  Ed dedicated his life to self-sacrifice and hard-work of any kind needed to raise his four children and keep the ranch afloat.  In this time, he coached many kids to High School Rodeo championships, horse show and rodeo queen contest winners.  Ed and Clarissa worked hard to raise Godly children, 4-H Club calves and a profitable cow herd.  Ed was inducted into the Southern Idaho Livestock Hall of Fame.

     His proudest achievement is that all four of his children know Jesus as their Lord and Savior and to follow him as best they can by his example.

     John 14:6   Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

     Ed is survived by: his wife – Clarissa Brown of Gooding; three sons – Devin (Jeri) Brown of Bliss, Destry (Cami) Brown of Oshkosh, Nebraska and Brian Brown of St. John, Washington; one daughter – Deann Kehrer of St. John, Washington; two sisters – Freida Brown and Sandra (Allen) Riksem, all of Boise; thirteen grandchildren and sixteen grandchildren – and one on the way. 

     He was preceded in death by: his father and mother; and one brother – Wallace Brown.

     A celebration of life will be held on Thursday, September 14, 2023 at 1:00 pm at Desert Hills Church of the Nazarene in Gooding. 

     A private family inurnment will take place at the Elmwood Cemetery in Gooding.

     Cremation and funeral arrangements are under the care and direction of Demaray Funeral Service – Gooding Chapel.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made in Ed’s name to:

Desert Hills Church of the Nazarene  129 6th Ave. West  Gooding, Idaho 83330

or to:

Gooding Cowboy Church c/o Out West Bible Church  5775 North  25 East  Idaho Falls, Idaho 83401

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