James E. Brown

His heart of gold finally stopped… With great love and deep sorrow, the family of James Edward Brown announces his passing on November 15, 2025, at his home in Boise, Idaho. Jim was born on March 8, 1940, in Spokane, Washington, and spent most of his life in the Pacific Northwest. Jim moved to Lewiston at the age of five, attending St. Stanislaus grade school and Lewiston High School, where he lettered in both track and football and formed lifelong friendships. He graduated from Idaho State University in 1965 with a degree in pharmacy, a profession that became both his vocation and his service to others. In September 1965, Jim entered the U.S. Army and served as the chief pharmacy officer at Fort Ord Army Hospital in Monterey, California. In that beautiful place, he met the love of his life, Mary Fran Meyer. Jim was honorably discharged in September 1967, and moved to Tacoma, Washington. He and Mary Fran were married in November of that year, Minnesota, beginning 58 years of partnership and adventure. Jim began his pharmacy career with Payless Drugs in April 1968 in Springfield, Oregon. He and his family moved to Boise in 1979 when he became manager of the Eastgate Payless. When Rite Aid purchased Payless, Jim returned to the pharmacy, and served as a relief pharmacist throughout eastern Oregon, Washington, and Idaho until his retirement in 2013. Jim and Mary Fran raised three children: Jerry (1968), Kristina (1969), and Teresa (1975). He was an active member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church, and volunteered in retirement at the St. Vincent de Paul food bank, sharing compassion with the same quiet generosity that shaped his life. An avid runner, Jim completed 105 marathons, on with each daughter. Besides traveling to race, he and Mary Fran enjoyed many adventures abroad, to fifty countries. Among all places, Jim held a special love for the Big Hole Valley of Montana, where he fished with his father and uncle, and later introduced his children and grandchildren to the lakes and rivers of his childhood. Jim is survived by his wife, Mary Fran Brown; his children Jerry Brown, Kristina Brown (husband Robert) and Teresa Cleary (husband Joseph) and his cherished grandchildren Juniper and Jasper. His family is deeply grateful to St. Luke's Hospice, especially nurse Allie, for their compassionate care. A funeral Mass will be held Tuesday, December 16, at 10:00 a.m. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Boise. A luncheon will follow in the parish hall. Jim will be buried at the Idaho Veterans Cemetery. Gifts in Jim's memory may be made to St. Vincent de Paul, the Idaho Shakespeare Festival, or the "Heritage Fund" at Boise Parks and Rec