On the morning of October 3, 2022, our beloved Wendell H. Brown passed away at the Junction Creek Rehabilitation Center in Durango, Colorado where he had resided for the last eighteen months. Wendell was born in Alamosa Colorado October 28,1940 to Thomas Harold and Irene Brown. He was a lifetime member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He was blessed on December 8th,1940 then baptized and confirmed a member in Manassa, Colorado on August 7, 1949.
Wendell would carry his dad’s nickname, Brownie. Born partially deaf, he attended the Evans School for the Deaf in Denver from 1946 – 1948. Wendell entered Colorado Public Schools in La Jara, Colorado the Fall of 1949 graduating from the eighth grade May 23, 1956. He then returned to full time help on his family farm. When Wendell turned twenty-one, he enrolled in a six-month mechanic school run by GMC in Denver, Colorado. This Special Training Program was sponsored by Clemmens and Tindell's car dealership in La Jara. He completed his course July 27, 1962 as a Chassis Service Technician and returned to the Valley to work as an auto mechanic with Clemmens and Tindell's for twelve years. At that time, Wendell moved to Alamosa where he continued being a mechanic for other auto dealerships. He would spend the next thirty-five plus years being a reliable and sought-after mechanic.
Wendell was an ever-hardworking man. He was up at sunrise and went to work without complaint. His approach to life was simple and he did not need much to be happy. Just the basics were enough for him. Wendell often joined other deaf friends at breakfast for a doughnut or two. Wendell could always be seen dressed in western shirts, cowboy boots and a western straw hat. While going into restaurants with Wendell it seemed like he knew all the workers, from the cooks to the hostesses to the servers and managers. They all were happy to see Wendell. Smiles, handshakes, and hugs would ensue. His one big splurge was a motorcycle that he treasured. He especially enjoyed watching and riding trains pulled by a steam locomotive, riding his motorcycle, family reunions and watching the Little Rascals, westerns, and comedian Jerry Lewis on television. Wendell could be counted on with a constant sense of support. He had a great sense of humor and heart of gold, crankiness included. It was part of his charm. Wendell was very generous and liked to kid his nieces and nephews. He was truly an angel on earth and we were all lucky to have the privilege of knowing him, much less be his family. He loved all his close-knit and extended family with an open heart. Often discussing how much he missed family members that have gone on before him and growing up on our farm.
Wendell was preceded in death by his Grandparents; Thomas and Myrtle Brown and Charles Lawrence and Vernice Franks, Parents; Thomas Harold and Irene Brown, Sister Linda Sue McCoy, Brother James Russell Brown, Sister Delores Jones Ford; Nephews James Jones, Gerald Jones; Niece Jodi Jones Cyrus; Grandniece Jacqueline Jones, Grandnephew Joshua Jones, and Great-grandnephew Jaydin Cruz.
Wendell is survived by Sisters - Phyllis Hoyt of Durango, Colorado and Sharon Engelhardt of Aurora, Colorado; Uncles - Alvin Franks of Gallatin, Missouri, Leon (Mary Ann) Franks of Independence, Missouri; Nephews - Vincent Bailey, Larry Engelhardt, John Jones, and T.J. Brown. Nieces - Amanda Dolan, Carol Johnson, Susan Katzer, Tera Chavez, Tamara Pierce, Tanya Pino, Tressy Rascon, La Donna Jorgensen, Deanna Moser, Lisa Troxel, and Tracie Domenech; Sixteen great-nephews and Twenty-two great-nieces.
There will be a Family Prayer and Viewing on Friday the 14th from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m.at Rogers Family Mortuary in Alamosa, Colorado. A Grave Side service well be held at the Sanford Cemetery, Sanford, Colorado at 10:00 a.m. Lunch will be served at the LDS Church in La Jara, Colorado at 11:00 a.m. To express condolences to the family, please visit www.rogersfunerals.com
Rogers Family Mortuary in Alamosa is in care of the arrangements.