Bradford "Brad" Brown
January 5, 1948 - September 5, 2023
Parma, Idaho - Bradford Doyle Brown, "Brad", was born January 5, 1948, in Fresno Community Hospital to Jennings Gordon Brown and Beverly Elaine (Vaughn) Brown. He went to Laton Grammar School near the Kings River in Fresno County from Kindergarten through 5th grade. He completed 6th grade in Lancaster, CA. The family moved to Auberry, California, where he attended 7th and 8th grades. He graduated from Sierra High School. Since his family had returned to Lancaster after his Junior year, he boarded with families during his senior year. Postgraduate work included Antelope Valley College (AA degree), Fresno State College (BA English Major - History Minor), University of California - Riverside (BS Soil Science), University of California - Davis (MS Soil Fertility), and Utah State University (PhD Soils and Biometeorology). He began working for the University of Idaho in August 1975 at the Parma Research and Extension Center in Parma, Idaho. Except for four quarters of coursework at Utah State, he resided at Parma until his death. He retired in September 2012 after 37 years as a Soil Scientist-Agronomist. He enjoyed his career working with colleagues, growers, and industry agronomists in evaluating tests for soil fertility - especially nitrogen for wheat, barley, corn, onions, sugar beets, and peppermint. He evaluated practices for growing small grains of wheat and barley ranging from variety evaluations to crop performance using different planting dates and seeding practices. He often looked at the interaction of cultural practices with fertilization methods. His extension outreach efforts included a quarterly newsletter, The Cereal Sentinel, as well as numerous local, state, and national oral and poster presentations. Some of his research was published in refereed professional journals.
Brad married Jenny Rose Sears on December 27, 1979, in a small wedding at his brother's home in Palmdale CA, during the quarter break. Jenny was a good partner and they spent 43 years together. She was a good mother to their children. She was an excellent caregiver during his illness. Brad was an active member of the Parma Lions Club for 40-plus years, where he served as Secretary and President. He organized the Parma Lions Club Old Fort Boise Days' Pancake Breakfast for many years. He hosted The Parma Lions U-pick Pumpkin Patch for three years. Brad was a member of the Kirkpatrick Memorial Community Church in Parma. He served on The Session and other committees. He enjoyed singing in the choir as a bass, baritone, tenor, or whatever the need was. He was especially interested in the Buildings and Grounds Committee. In retirement, Brad indulged his interest in geomorphology, anthropology, and exploration of central Oregon and Idaho. He camped by lakes and streams and sometimes good friends joined him. Otherwise, he enjoyed the solitude. He was thankful to be healthy enough to enjoy travel and camping for many years.
Brad was preceded in death by his father, Jennings Gordon Brown, POW; stepdaughter Teresa Ash; grandson Jeremiah Ash; and granddaughter Elizabeth Rose Brown. He is survived by his 99-year-old mother, Beverly Elaine Vaughn Brown, Fresno CA; his spouse Jenny Rose Sears Brown, Parma ID; daughter Jonquil Megan Brown Moser (Erik) Portland, OR; son Kyle Jennings Brown, Parma ID; grandson Russell Ash, Fargo ND; granddaughter Amanda Ash Galesburg, IL; siblings Linda Sue Brown, Fresno CA; Daniel Walter Brown (Cathy), Lakeside CA; Lesli Laurine Brown Garst, Reedley CA; as well as aunts, nephews, nieces, and cousins. Donations may be directed to Kirkpatrick Memorial Community Church, PO Box 789, Parma, ID 83660.