Charlie Brown

Fred C "Charlie" Brown passed peacefully at his home in Pinedale, Arizona on April 15, 2024. He was born November 29, 1946, at the Naval Hospital in San Diego, California to his parents, Felix C. 'Bud' Brown and Laverne Merkley Brown.

He attended schools in Holbrook, Arizona, graduating from Holbrook High School in 1964. He was a member of the Roadrunner Band, also playing varsity football. Wrestling was his passion and he was a state wrestling champion in the 180 lb. division. He lettered in all of his high school activities. He attended Western Colorado University in Gunnison, Colorado and Cochise College in Douglas, Arizona after high school.

He met and married Donna Carver in Douglas and had two children, Frank Charles and Sherida Janaze.

On March 6, 1999 he married Barbara Ballard.

Charlie worked a variety of jobs. He worked for the Navajo County Road Department, drove diesel tankers from the refinery in New Mexico to western Arizona, worked as a lineman installing telephone/TV lines, and spent a couple of years as a patrolman with the Arizona Highway Patrol. In 1969 began his employment with Southwest Forest Industries at the paper mill in Snowflake, until his medical retirement in 2004 as Maintenance Supervisor.

Charlie was passionate about helping the Pinedale Community and surrounding area. He was a Fire Fighter/EMT for 43 years in the Clay Springs-Pinedale Fire Department; also serving as a board member for the Pinedale Water Improvement District for 33 years. He taught Fire Science classes for Northland Pioneer College.

Charlie was always ready to help people in need. He was a savvy, practical problem solver, and was not afraid to stand up for what was right. He could always be counted on for help, advice, and listening. He had a larger than life personality and a crazy, fun sense of humor.

Even though he was a devoted NASCAR fan he would watch baseball, basketball, and football, but with considerably less enthusiasm. He enjoyed visiting and joking with friends, interacting on Facebook, often playing devil's advocate.

He was pre-deceased by parents, Bud and Laverne Brown.

He is survived by his wife, Barbara; children, Frank Brown (Sandy), Sherida Stepp (Eric), Marilyn Sorensen (Odie), Brandon Bates (Crystal), Darrin Bates (Sarah); grandkids, Ashley Martin (Ruger), Kara McGhee (Michael), Sage Sorensen, Xavier OleDere, Kennedy Bates, Molly Bates, Frazier Brown, Douglas Peters; great-grandchildren, Harper Hardin, Hunter Hardin, Jaina McGhee; Sister, Barbara Foree (Jack), son-in-law Jarryd Sorenson.

Graveside Services will be held at 12:30 pm, Saturday, June 1, 2024 at the Pinedale Cemetery.

A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday June 1, 2024 from 2:00-4:00 pm at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Clay Springs-Pinedale Chapel, 5150 Hwy 260, Pinedale, Arizona.