He was drafted into World War II at Fort Douglas, Utah and was the Branch President there. He got to know some general authorities of the church in this calling and sometimes had a hundred inductees in sacrament meeting. Most of the war he followed the action. He went into Germany and France when they were winding down the war and sailed to the Philippines. Fortunately he didn't have to invade Japan. If that had happened the war and his life could have ended much differently. He spent time on board a ship and never shot his rifle. He was once a “poster soldier” for a government ad. (see below)
He loved old cars and owned a number of Rolls Royce automobiles. One of his favorite cars was owned by Richard Boone who starred in Have Gun Will Travel. It was a Safari wagon. After many years of driving it in parades with his family he sold it to the maker of Armoral. He took the proceeds from another Rolls he sold and took his children and their spouses to visit Nauvoo.
He married the love of his life Marjorie Brown. He once said she "rescued" him and told me that he felt the Lord had a direct hand in bringing them together. Jim raised six children.
Over the years he gained weight but in the 1980's he went on the Pritikin Diet and after he retired be began an intense program of personal fitness. James had a strong grip and was overall strong. However after walking with two walking sticks for a number of years he became very fit, lost weight and enjoyed excellent health and vitality. He once said that his change of lifestyle gave him many additional years.
James was a father, Stake President, Patriarch and sealer in the temple. After Marjorie passed away in 1988 he married Elaine and when she passed he married Norma, Marjorie's sister. He was a leader in many ways and his family sorely misses him.
Obituary:
Brown, James C.
March 26, 1921 - September 13, 2011
Dr. James Cyril Brown passed away Tuesday, Sept. 13, 2011 in Pleasant Grove, UT of natural causes. He was 90 years old. Dr. Brown was born in Binghampton, AZ and grew up in Mesa, AZ. He was a veteran of WWII, serving in the United States Army. He married Marjorie Yvonne Jones in 1947 and moved to El Monte, CA in 1948. They moved to Hacienda Heights in 1962, where Dr. Brown resided for almost 50 years. Marjorie passed away in 1987. In 1988 he married Elaine Phelps who passed away in 2004. He then married Norma Dawson in 2005.
Dr. Brown is survived by his wife, Norma, and five of his six children: Johanna Goodman, Dr. James Brown Jr., Judy Wooten, Charles Brown and Dr. David Brown. Suzanne Gardiner preceded her father in death. Dr. Brown also leaves behind 39 grandchildren and 22 great grandchildren.
Dr. Brown practiced as a physician for many years in El Monte, CA. He was a devoted member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, serving as a Stake President, Patriarch, and up until his death, as a Sealer in the Los Angeles Temple. Dr. Brown was known for his wit and charm, his abiding love for our Savior, and was fiercely proud of his family. He anticipated a joyous reunion with his beloved wife, Marjorie.
Funeral services will be held at 10:00 am, Saturday, Sept. 24, 2011 at the Hacienda Heights Stake Center, located at 16750 Colima Rd, Hacienda Heights, CA 91745. Visitation will be from 8:30-9:30 at the church. Interment will follow at Rose Hills Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Perpetual Education Fund of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.
March 26, 1921 - September 13, 2011
Dr. James Cyril Brown passed away Tuesday, Sept. 13, 2011 in Pleasant Grove, UT of natural causes. He was 90 years old. Dr. Brown was born in Binghampton, AZ and grew up in Mesa, AZ. He was a veteran of WWII, serving in the United States Army. He married Marjorie Yvonne Jones in 1947 and moved to El Monte, CA in 1948. They moved to Hacienda Heights in 1962, where Dr. Brown resided for almost 50 years. Marjorie passed away in 1987. In 1988 he married Elaine Phelps who passed away in 2004. He then married Norma Dawson in 2005.
Dr. Brown is survived by his wife, Norma, and five of his six children: Johanna Goodman, Dr. James Brown Jr., Judy Wooten, Charles Brown and Dr. David Brown. Suzanne Gardiner preceded her father in death. Dr. Brown also leaves behind 39 grandchildren and 22 great grandchildren.
Dr. Brown practiced as a physician for many years in El Monte, CA. He was a devoted member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, serving as a Stake President, Patriarch, and up until his death, as a Sealer in the Los Angeles Temple. Dr. Brown was known for his wit and charm, his abiding love for our Savior, and was fiercely proud of his family. He anticipated a joyous reunion with his beloved wife, Marjorie.
Funeral services will be held at 10:00 am, Saturday, Sept. 24, 2011 at the Hacienda Heights Stake Center, located at 16750 Colima Rd, Hacienda Heights, CA 91745. Visitation will be from 8:30-9:30 at the church. Interment will follow at Rose Hills Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Perpetual Education Fund of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.
Brown, James C.
March 26, 1921 - September 13, 2011
Dr. James Cyril Brown passed away Tuesday, Sept. 13, 2011 in Pleasant Grove, UT of natural causes. He was 90 years old. Dr. Brown was born in Binghampton, AZ and grew up in Mesa, AZ. He was a veteran of WWII, serving in the United States Army. He married Marjorie Yvonne Jones in 1947 and moved to El Monte, CA in 1948. They moved to Hacienda Heights in 1962, where Dr. Brown resided for almost 50 years. Marjorie passed away in 1987. In 1988 he married Elaine Phelps who passed away in 2004. He then married Norma Dawson in 2005.
Dr. Brown is survived by his wife, Norma, and five of his six children: Johanna Goodman, Dr. James Brown Jr., Judy Wooten, Charles Brown and Dr. David Brown. Suzanne Gardiner preceded her father in death. Dr. Brown also leaves behind 39 grandchildren and 22 great grandchildren.
Dr. Brown practiced as a physician for many years in El Monte, CA. He was a devoted member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, serving as a Stake President, Patriarch, and up until his death, as a Sealer in the Los Angeles Temple. Dr. Brown was known for his wit and charm, his abiding love for our Savior, and was fiercely proud of his family. He anticipated a joyous reunion with his beloved wife, Marjorie.
Funeral services will be held at 10:00 am, Saturday, Sept. 24, 2011 at the Hacienda Heights Stake Center, located at 16750 Colima Rd, Hacienda Heights, CA 91745. Visitation will be from 8:30-9:30 at the church. Interment will follow at Rose Hills Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Perpetual Education Fund of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.
March 26, 1921 - September 13, 2011
Dr. James Cyril Brown passed away Tuesday, Sept. 13, 2011 in Pleasant Grove, UT of natural causes. He was 90 years old. Dr. Brown was born in Binghampton, AZ and grew up in Mesa, AZ. He was a veteran of WWII, serving in the United States Army. He married Marjorie Yvonne Jones in 1947 and moved to El Monte, CA in 1948. They moved to Hacienda Heights in 1962, where Dr. Brown resided for almost 50 years. Marjorie passed away in 1987. In 1988 he married Elaine Phelps who passed away in 2004. He then married Norma Dawson in 2005.
Dr. Brown is survived by his wife, Norma, and five of his six children: Johanna Goodman, Dr. James Brown Jr., Judy Wooten, Charles Brown and Dr. David Brown. Suzanne Gardiner preceded her father in death. Dr. Brown also leaves behind 39 grandchildren and 22 great grandchildren.
Dr. Brown practiced as a physician for many years in El Monte, CA. He was a devoted member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, serving as a Stake President, Patriarch, and up until his death, as a Sealer in the Los Angeles Temple. Dr. Brown was known for his wit and charm, his abiding love for our Savior, and was fiercely proud of his family. He anticipated a joyous reunion with his beloved wife, Marjorie.
Funeral services will be held at 10:00 am, Saturday, Sept. 24, 2011 at the Hacienda Heights Stake Center, located at 16750 Colima Rd, Hacienda Heights, CA 91745. Visitation will be from 8:30-9:30 at the church. Interment will follow at Rose Hills Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Perpetual Education Fund of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.
March 26, 1921 - September 13, 2011
Dr. James Cyril Brown passed away Tuesday, Sept. 13, 2011 in Pleasant Grove, UT of natural causes. He was 90 years old. Dr. Brown was born in Binghampton, AZ and grew up in Mesa, AZ. He was a veteran of WWII, serving in the United States Army. He married Marjorie Yvonne Jones in 1947 and moved to El Monte, CA in 1948. They moved to Hacienda Heights in 1962, where Dr. Brown resided for almost 50 years. Marjorie passed away in 1987. In 1988 he married Elaine Phelps who passed away in 2004. He then married Norma Dawson in 2005.
Dr. Brown is survived by his wife, Norma, and five of his six children: Johanna Goodman, Dr. James Brown Jr., Judy Wooten, Charles Brown and Dr. David Brown. Suzanne Gardiner preceded her father in death. Dr. Brown also leaves behind 39 grandchildren and 22 great grandchildren.
Dr. Brown practiced as a physician for many years in El Monte, CA. He was a devoted member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, serving as a Stake President, Patriarch, and up until his death, as a Sealer in the Los Angeles Temple. Dr. Brown was known for his wit and charm, his abiding love for our Savior, and was fiercely proud of his family. He anticipated a joyous reunion with his beloved wife, Marjorie.
Funeral services will be held at 10:00 am, Saturday, Sept. 24, 2011 at the Hacienda Heights Stake Center, located at 16750 Colima Rd, Hacienda Heights, CA 91745. Visitation will be from 8:30-9:30 at the church. Interment will follow at Rose Hills Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Perpetual Education Fund of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.
Journal Entries
James Brown's favorite story
Rolls Royce
Suzanne Brown
Hacienda Heights Home
Occupation:
When he returned to civilian life he decided he wanted to be a physician but he found that most schools had filled their quotas. One day while crossing the street, a person he did not know came up to him and told him that he could go to school in California and gave him the name of the school that was accepting applications. He applied and was accepted.
He was engaged to be married, but broke it off because of the war. One day he was traveling to school and stopped in at friends house and found a letter on the top of a refrigerator addressed to him. That led him to the greatest discovery of his life: Marjorie. The love affair turned into marriage, six children and many happy years together. James is a former Stake President, Patriarch, and was the longest serving sealer in the Los Angeles Temple at the time of his demise.
The family he came from:
This is the Harold and Mary Brown Family with links to each of their pages:
LtoR
Robert Lewis b 1923
Harold Leland b 1928
Louise b 1925
Cleone Floyd b 1930
Harold Sr. (rear) b 1897
Mary Young b 1901
James Cyril b 1921
1984 Photo session with the Browns:
Jim Brown speaks on his first edition of the Book of Mormon:
Jim Brown speaks at Marjorie Brown's funeral 1987:
Death:1984 Photo session with the Browns:
Jim Brown speaks on his first edition of the Book of Mormon:
Jim Brown speaks at Marjorie Brown's funeral 1987:
On the morning of August 16, while camping in Utah Dr Brown broke his femer and then fell to the ground. He was administered to by his son and later taken to the Utah Valley Hospital. He was operated on and his leg repaired however for the next month he moved in and out of the hospital.
On Sunday September 11th Ashley, Ryan, Stephanie and Brett visited and watched over Dr Brown. He was in pain and didn't say too much. Ashley offered to read to him but he said he wasn't very good company due to the pain.
On September 13, Ashley Ashley held hands with him to give him some comfort. She took a picture of their hands. Other relatives came to be with him, so Ashley left. Five minutes later Jim simply stopped breathing.
Minutes before James Brown died, Ashley held his hand. These hands brought her into this world 25 years ago.
Three interviews of James and Marjorie Brown - done in 1987.
Taxes: 2342 Vi Cielo
Hacienda Heights CDP CA 91745
| James C Brown (Trustee) and... | 2705 Turnbull Canyon Road | Hacienda Heights CDP | $9,714.6 |
After Julie Died, an article with a reference to JCB from the 1993 Engisn excerpt:
“I have subsequently married a wonderful woman who had lost her husband, and we both feel blessed to have the gift of love. I used to envy those who still have their spouses with them, until I realized that almost everyone will be widowed for a time, either on this side of the veil or on the other, and we need to concentrate on building a relationship worthy of enduring forever.”
James and friend in their WWII uniforms:
Talk given by James Brown:
The best thing we can give our children is to love each other, act like it, and be happy in the Church. This is of more value than any thing-else we could provide for them.
I realize that you will not be able to go through life with out annoying one another, but I hope you will quickly forgive.
When I was a boy in Arizona, I did a particularly dumb thing, I set fire to a palm tree next to our house, and it set our house on fire. All at once we had more company than I ever wanted to see. The fire was finally put out after considerable damage to our home. After the fire was out, and all our neighbors left I saw my Dad and the rest of my family under a mulberry tree, and they appeared comfortable with him. I looked over there and knew that I didn't belong over there, and just as I was considering running away, my Dad saw me and held out his arms, and I ran over and joined my family. My Father lived 55 years after that, and never once mentioned it. Now if an earthly father can be that forgiving of such a dumb thing, how much more can our Heavenly Father do? You remember that the Savior told us "Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in Heaven is perfect". So shouldn't we forgive even dumb things?
President McKay has said, "It is a greater compliment to be trusted, than to be loved." During World War brothers were in the same battle, and one fell wounded in the middle of a minefield. The other brother went to get him against the advice of all his buddies, who pointed out that he could be killed, and it would be to late anyway. He said, I have to go, and when he 2‘ brought his brothers body back, 'his friends said see, you took an useless chance, but he had to got there before he died, and he looked up at me and said, “I knew -you would come". To be able to trust our spouse is the greatest compliment we could have. Your parents are trusting you with their precious son or daughter to treat them like you would like your own son or daughter treated. And you Father in Heaven is trusting you to help one another to come back into His Presence.
We need to understand free agency, some1\we' use our free agency to lose it. If we use our free agency to take certain substances into our body we lose our free agency to be healthy, think clearly, or even to stop using it. If we use our free agency to come to the Temple and keep the sacred covenants we make, we will gain the greatest freedom it is possible to attain in mortality, that is the freedom to come back to the presence o the Lord as husband and wife.
Years ago I had a call about 2 AM from an old man who said my wife is dying," and I want to be sure that she doesn't suffer. When I arrived, 1 found that they had been married for over 60 years, and she had a stroke 3 years previously and was helpless, that old man had cared for his wife, did the house work, cooking cleaning, entertained her, wrote her love poems, and took such good care of her, that she didn't even have a bed sore. She died about 15 minutes after I got there, and he reached over and closed her eyes, and said "goodbye sweetheart, I'll see you in a little while”.
President McKay has said, "It is a greater compliment to be trusted, than to be loved." During World War brothers were in the same battle, and one fell wounded in the middle of a minefield. The other brother went to get him against the advice of all his buddies, who pointed out that he could be killed, and it would be to late anyway. He said, I have to go, and when he 2‘ brought his brothers body back, 'his friends said see, you took an useless chance, but he had to got there before he died, and he looked up at me and said, “I knew -you would come". To be able to trust our spouse is the greatest compliment we could have. Your parents are trusting you with their precious son or daughter to treat them like you would like your own son or daughter treated. And you Father in Heaven is trusting you to help one another to come back into His Presence.
We need to understand free agency, some1\we' use our free agency to lose it. If we use our free agency to take certain substances into our body we lose our free agency to be healthy, think clearly, or even to stop using it. If we use our free agency to come to the Temple and keep the sacred covenants we make, we will gain the greatest freedom it is possible to attain in mortality, that is the freedom to come back to the presence o the Lord as husband and wife.
Years ago I had a call about 2 AM from an old man who said my wife is dying," and I want to be sure that she doesn't suffer. When I arrived, 1 found that they had been married for over 60 years, and she had a stroke 3 years previously and was helpless, that old man had cared for his wife, did the house work, cooking cleaning, entertained her, wrote her love poems, and took such good care of her, that she didn't even have a bed sore. She died about 15 minutes after I got there, and he reached over and closed her eyes, and said "goodbye sweetheart, I'll see you in a little while”.
The ring is not part of the Temple ceremony, but it is a nice symbolic feature, and there are many symbolic features about the Temple. The ring is symbolic of something that does not end, and 1 think it is symbolic of the fact that you are proud to be married. Never, never, never, never, NEVER/NEVER, even pretend to flirt with some one else, you don't have to prove your charm to any one else but each other. That is part of being faithful never giving any one any cause to misunderstand you)-"complete fidelity to your covenants.
I suggest that the husband say the first prayer that evening and then the next morning, he can call on any one he wants. If the wife helps her husband honor his priesthood and makes it easy for him, she will have every blessing of the Priesthood, just as if the husband is not over bearing and honors his wife he will have every blessing of parenthood. Each are equally important in the sight of the Lord. I have given nearly 1200 Patriarchal blessings, and in each case I've felt with absolute assurance that the Lord loved that person, so I have not felt any difference between his love for a son or daughter.
Take the best traditions from each family, combine them, add your own, and if you turn out better than your parents, they will not be offended. The end will be sweeter than the beginning and in your later years, as you kneel down together, arms entwined and thank the Lord for each other that will be sweetest of all
I suggest that the husband say the first prayer that evening and then the next morning, he can call on any one he wants. If the wife helps her husband honor his priesthood and makes it easy for him, she will have every blessing of the Priesthood, just as if the husband is not over bearing and honors his wife he will have every blessing of parenthood. Each are equally important in the sight of the Lord. I have given nearly 1200 Patriarchal blessings, and in each case I've felt with absolute assurance that the Lord loved that person, so I have not felt any difference between his love for a son or daughter.
Take the best traditions from each family, combine them, add your own, and if you turn out better than your parents, they will not be offended. The end will be sweeter than the beginning and in your later years, as you kneel down together, arms entwined and thank the Lord for each other that will be sweetest of all
I don't use all these every time and there are some other things I say, depending on the Spirit and circumstances.
1987 Jim Brown presents his first edition of the Book of Mormon to the church and in particular President Benson:
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| First residence in California with Marjorie |
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| Elaine and James |
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| James and Elaine |
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| For a number of years James was a member of the board at BYU. Eventually he donated a couple of million dollars to the school from the proceeds of selling his 13 acres in Hacienda Heights. |
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| Jennie puts her artistic touch to Jim's photo. She lived in the home for a time after marriage. |
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The whole family (except Jacob) with my Grandpa. After Jenny's Homecoming, 2008. |
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I love how happy and appreciative Grandpa Brown was of the beautiful book that Uncle Kent made about him. When we would clear the table off for a meal and carefully set the book on a side table he always had it right back on the table after the meal was cleaned up. The book meant so much to him. He showed it to everyone who came over. It was fun to see him glow and smile as he looked at it. Thank you, Kent. We will cherish this book of testimony forever
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To the Family of our Friend, President Brown,
We would like to take this opportunity to let your family know how we feel about your father, grandfather, great-grandfather and the many other roles he played in his life. What a wonderful man. He was our favorite home teacher. Yes, he was many other things to us but as home teacher he brought a wonderful spirit into our home for many years. As one of our daughters said one Sunday after his visit, "Mom, your voice is softer when President Brown is here." So, needless, to say I realized how specialthis man was. He brought the best out in our family. Bill, being a new convert when we became members of the Los Altos Ward and finally being called to teach the Gospel Doctrine class felt a little intimidated with all of the Stake Presidency in his class. Once again, he studied so hard to give a good lesson, knowing they might be there. Our daughters, Michelle and Stephanie received their patriarical blessing from him. We were so honored to have him give their blessings to them, because we knew, he was truly a man of God.
We loved your Mom, too. She was an "elect lady" always having a true elegance about her. I'm sure there was a joyous reunion in heaven. We wish we could be there for the funeral, but we send our love and best wishes to the family of our dear friend.
Bill and Margene Campbell and Family
James Brown was larger than life. He was a Patriarch, Sealer in the Los Angeles Temple, Stake President, Doctor, father and devoted husband. During his last days on earth he showed a picture book I did on his life to nurses and doctors who were caring for him. He was very proud of his family and loved everyone to a person. There will be a great reunion in heaven. Kent
Obituary:
Dr. James Cyril Brown (1921 -2011) died Tuesday September 13, 2011 in Pleasant Grove, UT of natural causes. He was 90 years old. Dr Brown was born in Binghamton, AZ and grew up in Mesa, AZ. He moved to El Monte, CA in 1948. Dr. Brown married Marjorie Yvonne Jones (1924 -1987) in 1947. In 1988 he married Elaine Phelps who passed away in 2004. In 2005 he married Norma Dawson.
Dr. Brown is survived by Norma Dawson and five of his six children: Dr. James Brown Jr. of Gridley, CA, Johanna Goodman of Yuba City, CA, Dr. David Brown of Springville, UT, Charles Brown of Provo, UT, and Judy Wooten of Kansas City, MO. Suzanne Gardiner of Valencia, CA preceded Dr. Brown in death. Dr. Brown leaves behind 37 grandchildren.
Dr. Brown practiced as a physician for many years in El Monte, CA. Dr. Brown also served at various times in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints as Stake President of the Hacienda Heights Stake, Patriarch in the Hacienda Heights Stake and Sealer in the Los Angeles Temple. Dr. Brown was known for his wit and charm and was fiercely proud of his family. He anticipated a joyous reunion with his devoted wife.
Funeral services will he held at the Hacienda Heights Stake Center, Hacienda Heights, CA, on September 24, 2011 at 10 am. The Stake Center is located at 16750 Colima RD, Hacienda Heights, CA 91745. Internment will take place at Rose Hills Cemetery. In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be made to the Perpetual Education Fund of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.
Comments after the funeral:
Comments after the funeral:
- At grandpa Gardiner's funeral, I showed up late, with all my luggage,and little agitated. A woman I didn,t know ran up to me and said: Your grandfather was looking for you, he saved you a seat.I thought that was pretty strange, since I was here because mygrandfather had died. When I looked in the chapel, grandpa Brown had an empty seat next to him.
I sat down next to him and he gave me a hug. One of dad's sisters was speaking, and she said that it was amazing that people came from so far away for grandpas funeral...as far away as Idaho. Grandpa brown elbowed me in the side and laughed, since I had just flown in from Bermuda. Grandpa brown can find a joke, even in a funeral. - Carol BrownSeptember 18, 2011 at 6:02 PMI love how happy and appreciative Grandpa Brown was of the beautiful book that Uncle Kent made about him. When we would clear the table off for a meal and carefully set the book on a side table he always had it right back on the table after the meal was cleaned up. The book meant so much to him. He showed it to everyone who came over. It was fun to see him glow and smile as he looked at it. Thank you, Kent. We will cherish this book of testimony forever.
- September 26, 2011 at 2:49 PMTo the Family of our Friend, President Brown,
We would like to take this opportunity to let your family know how we feel about your father, grandfather, great-grandfather and the many other roles he played in his life. What a wonderful man. He was our favorite
home teacher. Yes, he was many other things to us but as home teacher he brought a wonderful spirit into our home for many years. As one of our daughters said one Sunday after his visit, "Mom, your voice is softer when President Brown is here." So, needless, to say I realized how special this man was. He brought the best out in our family. Bill, being a new convert
when we became members of the Los Altos Ward and finally being called to teach the Gospel Doctrine class felt a little intimidated with all of the Stake Presidency in his class. Once again, he studied so hard to give a good lesson, knowing they might be there. Our daughters, Michelle and Stephanie received their patriarical blessing from him. We were so honored to have him give their blessings to them, because we knew, he was truly a man of God.
We loved your Mom, too. She was an "elect lady" always having a true elegance about her. I'm sure there was a joyous reunion in heaven.
We wish we could be there for the funeral, but we send our love and best wishes to the family of our dear friend.
Bill and Margene Campbell and Family
Former Sen. Bill Campbell dies at 79
03/23/2015 4:22 PM03/24/2015 7:35 AM
Bill Campbell, who served in the Legislature for nearly a quarter-century and also was president of the California Manufacturers Association, died over the weekend. He was 79.
The perpetually affable Campbell once served as Republican leader and with a wide repertoire of corny jokes, was a popular master of ceremonies for political events throughout the state.
His death was announced by his longtime friend, former state Chamber of Commerce chief Kirk West, on Facebook. West said that funeral services are pending in Salt Lake City for Campbell, who was Mormon.
Campbell was first elected to the Assembly in 1966 from Hacienda Heights, a community in suburban Los Angeles, and unsuccessfully sought a seat on the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors in 1972. He returned to the Assembly in 1974 and later moved to the Senate, where he served until his retirement in 1990. In 1986, he was the Republican candidate for state controller, losing to Democrat Gray Davis, who went on to become lieutenant governor and governor.
Campbell became head of the manufacturers’ group, now known as the California Manufacturers & Technology Association, in 1990 and held that position for eight years. He listed the passage of a bill exempting manufacturing equipment from the sales tax as a major accomplishment.
The association’s president, Dorothy Rothrock, said in a statement, “Sen. Bill Campbell devoted his life to service for California, and manufacturers in the state benefited greatly from his enthusiasm and hard work. The CMTA staff will always remember his smile and brilliant humor, no matter the challenge. We offer condolences and prayers to the Campbell family.”
Former Gov. Gray Davis said in an e-mail that Campbell “helped solve a lot of problems,” during Gov. Jerry Brown’s first two terms.
“He had a good heart, and came from the generation of moderate Republicans that wanted government to function efficiently, not grind to a halt,” Davis said.
His legislative career was not without controversy, mostly involving bills that benefited special interests with which he was closely allied. He found himself on the periphery of a couple of investigations.
More than a decade after leaving office, Campbell led the blue-ribbon commission that investigated the causes of the 2003 Southern California wildfires and recommended ways to prevent future disasters.
The most extensive account of Campbell’s career, including many insider stories of legislative intrigue, was written by Greg Lucas, now the state librarian, in his political blog, California’s Capitol, in 2008.
Call The Bee’s Dan Walters, (916) 321-1195. Back columns, www.sacbee.com/walters. Follow him on Twitter @WaltersBee.
I sat down next to him and he gave me a hug. One of dad's sisters was speaking, and she said that it was amazing that people came from so far away for grandpa's funeral...as far away as Idaho. Grandpa Brown elbowed me in the side and laughed, since I had just flown in from Bermuda. Grandpa Brown can find a joke, even in a funeral. Rachel