Val Dean Brown, 82, of Herriman, Utah, beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather passed from this life October 30, 2025, with family by his side. Val was born on May 6, 1943, in Ogden, Utah, to Delbert Glen Brown and Edna Mae Hazen. His father volunteered for the Army Air Corps and moved with his family around the United States during his military training. Val's parents eventually settled down in Roy, Utah, where his father built their first home. The family later moved to Vernal, Utah, and South Ogden, Utah. Val attended Uintah High School in Vernal, and spent his senior year at Bonneville High School in South Ogden, where he served on the senior class council and was co-valedictorian and graduation commencement speaker for the Class of 1961.

In 1962, Val received a call to serve a 2 ½ year mission to Helsinki Finland for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS). He embraced the language and culture of Finland and developed a great love for the people. Val enjoyed his time in Finland so much that he maintained contact with people he served and companions he served with. In 2023, Val had the cherished opportunity to return to Finland with his first mission companion to visit the Finnish people and the LDS Temple in Helsinki. He loved sharing stories of his mission with his children and grandchildren.

Val attended Weber State College in Ogden, and Brigham Young University (BYU) in Provo, Utah. During high school and his first year of college at Weber State College, Val worked for Mountain Bell Telephone Company with his father. Upon returning home from his LDS mission, Val joined the Air Force ROTC at BYU where he obtained a Bachelor of Science Degree in Psychology, minoring in Business Management, in 1968. Prior to his career in sales, Val enlisted in the United States Navy as an E-5 Naval Aviation Officer Candidate and trained at the Naval Air Station of Pensacola, FL, where he served honorably before being separated for medical reasons.

While at BYU, Val met and married Ruth Christopher. During their thirteen years of marriage, they had five beautiful children. They later divorced. Val accepted his first job as a life insurance salesman with Equitable Life Insurance and was assigned to their Dallas, Texas, office. While working in sales in Dallas, Val taught LDS early morning seminary to supplement his income. Eventually, Equitable Life Insurance wanted him to move to their New York City office. Not wanting to raise a family in New York, Val left the company and accepted a job with Connecticut Mutual Life in Utah. Once again, Val was able to move to the Rocky Mountains he so loved. Upon returning to Utah, Val continued in sales and was able to continue teaching LDS seminary at Ogden H.S., Roy H.S., and Bonneville H.S. He continued working in the sale of life insurance and annuities for various companies before eventually branching out on his own.

On November 24, 1982, Val married Anna Lou White in Orem, Utah. AnnaLou first met Val at the age of 14 when he moved to Vernal with his parents. They were blessed to enjoy over 42 years of marriage together, living in Utah, in the cities of Salt Lake City, West Jordan, Draper, and Herriman.

While growing up in Northern and Eastern Utah, Val developed a love for the outdoors, particularly camping and fishing in the Uintah Mountains. He talked passionately about his time in the mountains and was always looking for that perfect fishing hole. His love for the outdoors is something he passed along to each of his children. He enjoyed attending his children's and grandchildren's school and community activities, graduations, and weddings, as well as camping, shooting, and fishing with his children and grandchildren throughout Utah and Montana. He was always collecting books on history and gospel subjects and never tired of sharing his thoughts on these, and teaching others what he knew and loved about his church and country.

Val was an amazing storyteller and had a memory that could beat most. He was very proud of his heritage and spoke highly of his extended family and ancestors. Val provided tremendous care for his parents in their later years and taught his children and grandchildren to respect their elders. He had a charm about him and could make friends wherever he went.

Val is survived by his wife, Anna Lou; his five children, Christopher Brown (Laurel), Laurena Wright (George), Michael Brown (Tiffany), Shaelene Collier (Mike), Camille Ramirez (Alberto); their mother Ruth; stepchildren, Hollie Brode, Jason Erickson (Jana), Lori Maynes (Kelly), and Dana Erickson (Shaun); 41 grandchildren; and 30 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister, Jolene; and preceded in death by his parents, Delbert and Edna; and his brother, Jay.

Invitations for a Celebration of Life will be sent. Please contact the family for details. Interment: Aultorest Memorial Park, 836 36th Street, Ogden.