Moyle William Brown

Moyle William Brown, age 81, passed away peacefully at home in New Plymouth, Thursday, June 18, 2009. A visitation for family and friends will be from 5-8 p.m., Thursday, June 25, 2009 at Shaffer-Jensen Memory Chapel, New Plymouth and from 9-9:45 a.m. at the church prior to services. Funeral services will be 10a.m., Friday, June 26, 2009 at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter- Day Saints, First Ward, New Plymouth. Interment will follow at Park View Cemetery, New Plymouth.

Condolences may be made to the family at www.shafferjensenchapel.com.

Moyle was born April 28, 1928 in Weiser, Idaho. He was the youngest of three sons born to Homer James and Veda Ellen (Anderson) Brown. He had many stories to tell of his days as a youth in Weiser. Swimming, hiking, mumble-d-peg, fishing, and “frogging” were just a few that he really enjoyed with his brothers and friends.

He said that it was great fun for them to catch frogs and have their mother cook the legs for them to eat. For fun, he and his brothers like to talk, what they called, “Double-Dutch”. Moyle learned to sing, dance and play the piano at an early age. He was involved in many plays, operettas, recitals and other musical presentations while in his youth and throughout school. Moyle loved to roller skate.

He was very limber and learned all kinds of moves and tricks while skating at the roller skating rink. Moyle graduated from Weiser High School in 1946 and then from Brigham Young University with a degree in music. Moyle married Betty Johnson on July 28, 1948. At BYU, Moyle loved his opportunities to sing in touring groups and to sing leads in the Operas. He wanted to sing Grand Opera, but felt raising a family was more important.

They had two daughters and six sons and only wished they could have had more. Moyle was a great father and loved having the grandchildren visit. After college, Moyle and Betty moved back to Weiser for a few years and then to New Plymouth where he taught for 36 years in the New Plymouth Schools. Over those years, he taught vocal and instrumental music, drama, and speech. Moyle was loved and respected by his students.

He touched many lives with his gift in music. He had a true gift for music interpretation, for seeing the potential in people and for being able to draw the music out of them. Moyle’s bands, choirs, and drama class plays won many awards and trophies over the years. In 1978, his choir was invited by the head of the Reno International Jazz Festival to be a part of a three week concert tour of Europe. This was a dream come true for Moyle and he loved telling about all the wonderful experiences they had.

In 1981 he was honored by the Mayor and the community with a “Moyle Brown Day“. He and Betty both received many honors from various community organizations around the valley over the years. After retirement, Moyle conducted a Community Choir for several years and he continued to lead the Congregational singing each Sunday at church until about two years ago. Moyle sang solos everywhere for weddings, graduations, funerals, parties, banquets, etc. throughout his life and was known for his outstanding voice.

He also loved singing duets with Betty. After singing for his uncle’s funeral service in the Salt Lake City Tabernacle, the director of the Tabernacle Choir told Moyle that if he could commute each week, he could be a member of the Tabernacle Choir. Moyle was honored to have been asked and wished that he could have. Moyle was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and served as the Bishop of the New Plymouth Ward from 1960-1967. Moyle loved life and people.

He was a friend to many. He enjoyed visiting with others, telling and playing jokes, laughing, kidding, and just having a good time. He was a very caring and thoughtful man. Manana, Mr. Brown.

Moyle is survived by a brother, Clark (Ruth) Brown of Phoenix; a sister-in-law, Juanita Brown of Oregon; his children, Jim (Chris) Brown of Tennessee, Becky (Jamie) McKenzie of Boise, Theron (Pam) Brown of Minnesota, Leisa (Ron) Beutler of New Plymouth, Bill (Kaylyn) Brown of New Plymouth; 34 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren with two on the way; sister and brother-in-laws, Harriet Hart of Utah, Mary (Bob) Chandler of Weiser, and Wilford (Jeanette) Johnson of Kuna; and several nieces and nephews. He was preeded in death by his parents; his wife, Betty; brother, Denzel; sons, Brent, Kerry.

From The Idaho Statesman – Thu, Jun 25, 2009