One of the most wonderful parts of Family Search, the LDS Website for family history, is the new part to put stories and memories of our grandparents and loved ones. October 24th always puts a smile on my face as I think about my Mother's Father, Archie Brown, my Grandpa Brown, whose birthday it is today. Back in 2006, when Grandpa would have celebrated his 100th Birthday, I asked our family to share memories they had with Grandpa. I found them the other day and posted them on Family Search. You can add yours there as well. Enjoy! Happy 108 Grandpa Brown!
Memories of Grandpa Archie
Brown
October 24, 1906-October 14, 1971
Compiled on October 24, 2003 and additions on
October 20, 2006
Richard Borget
One of my Favorite
stories about Grandpa Brown is that he once was selling a Sewing
Machine. The customer was really trying to get him to drop the
price of the machine and really working him over finally Grandpa said that he
wouldn't drop the price another dollar, so the customer offered him a dollar
less and Grandpa said you just made a liar out of me. Mom always told me
what a wonderful Dad she had and I have always been sad not to have known my
grandpa in this life. One of the great things about working in the
Bernina business is that I feel like I am carrying on my dad's heritage and
Grandpa Browns too. I miss you Grandpa Brown, HAPPY Birthday to you.
Darlene Borget
Grandpa
Brown was one of the most fun people I've ever known. He was truly an
incredible dad. He had a way of making us all think that we were his
favorite. He was a great tease and so much fun. We couldn't have
had a better dad. He made out lives so much fun! I'm so glad that
he was my dad. When I was a
little girl, I always sat on Daddy's lap to eat when he was home. I only
did this till I was 12 years old. Everyone laughed at me but I loved it
and I think Daddy did to. Daddy was always dressed meticulously. He
always had on a long sleeved white shirt (usually from the shirt laundry) and
tie and loved being in a suit. He always made me feel sooooo
special. Thank you so much for doing this tribute to him. He was
truly an incredible man! Daddy always had a new car.
We always
called him Daddy and he was the best Daddy you could ever have. He always
called me his "honey child". The last time I saw him in the
hospital he called me that. Glenys, Jerry & I all think that we were
his favorite. He only got mad at me once in all the years I was growing
up. My cousin Marilyn came to visit and we were playing hide and
seek. It wasn't my fault that she had to be it for a long time. She
just couldn't find us. Daddy thought it was my fault and got really mad
at me. I didn't like her for a long time because she made my Daddy get
mad at me. He didn't go to church with us when we were little but he
didn't care if we went and after church he would take us for a ride and go to
get an ice cream cone. Sometimes we would go and walk through Grand
Central and look around on Sundays. One time he had a $100 bill.(he
almost always did) in his wallet. Jerry wanted it and so did I.
Finally he just tore it in half and gave us both half. We both started to
cry so he took it back. I used to love to comb his hair. He had the
nicest hair and he was so patient to let me comb it. He always dressed so
nice and looked so great! He liked to have his shirts done at the laundry
so that they would be just perfect. He was so good to me and I am
grateful to have had such a wonderful Daddy.
Elaine Lawrence
I remember I was in third
grade when Grandpa Brown died. I remember how tall he was. I
remember he would give me quarters. I remember in the summer he would sit
at the top of our stairs where the air conditioner was to cool off. I
remember he told me I would be Miss America in 1980.
Robynn Thiot
I was lucky enough to have
Grandpa Brown in my life for 14 years. I have many fun memories but the one I’d
like to share happened on a summer afternoon. Grandpa called to see if I could
come down to his little store in Midvale and be his helper for the day. I
couldn’t have been more thrilled. He had lots of pink cards that he’d gotten at
a drawing at the county fair and needed some help to file them away. After I
did that fun job he asked if I’d go across the street to the Rexall drug store
and buy some lotion for him. I came back with the lotion and Grandpa took off
his shoes and his socks and let me rub his feet with lotion. I remember how
much he enjoyed that and how much I loved doing something for him. That little
store is still there on State Street in Midvale and I always have a warm
feeling when I pass by. I remember his breath always smelled like Listerine.
Laurie Cline
Shortly before Grandpa
died, Bonnie and I spent several Saturdays down at his store in Midvale
"working" for him. He had us do various odd jobs at the store
including calling some people who had put their name in a drawing at the state
fair and telling them they had won some great prize, (I can't remember what it
was) He always took us out to lunch and we had a great time visiting with
him.
I remember Grandpa had this
cool coin purse that was made of brown leather and when he squeezed it, it
opened up like a flower. Whenever we saw him, he would always give us
whatever money he had in his coin
Ric Birks
I remember Grandpa had
little pink peppermint or wintergreen mints in bowls that I loved to sneak and
eat. I remember when Grandpa started selling the new Rainbow vacuum cleaners.
He came and demonstrated it at our house. He took a big bag and blew it up with
air and I loved sitting on it. I also remember he had a cool coin purse that
always had change for his grandkids. I always think about him whenever I drive
down State Street in Midvale and go past his little store there.
Glenys Birks
I think that anyone who
ever knew the Brown family knew what good sense of humor they all had. Daddy
was certainly no exception. He managed to always see the funny side of things.
In his later years when he had a little sewing machine store in Midvale, I used
to call him on the telephone to see how he was doing, and he would almost
always say, “oh, your back from your trip.” And I’d reply “I hadn’t been away.”
And he’s say when I hadn’t heard from you for so long I figured you must be on
a trip. He always knew the things to say
to put me in my place with a smile on my face.
Summer vacations were always
a regular thing for us. We had some grand ones. Over the years we went to Sun
valley, Colorado, Bryce and Zion’s Park, Yellowstone Park, and Northern and
Southern California. No vacation was more memorable however, than the year we
packed up all of our heavy bedding, warm clothing, and got into the car for a
trip to Yellowstone Park. I can remember driving down 21st south and
when we got to Highland Drive, Daddy turned south instead of going north. I can
still see us passing Southeast Furniture store in Sugar House and mother
saying, “Arch Brown, you are going the wrong way.” To which he replied, “I just
decided we’d go to California this year.” I can only imagine how frustrated
mother must have been. But we had a grand vacation to Southern Californian that
year. If Daddy was anything, he was FUN!
I can't think of
anything much more pleasant than remembering my younger days with my dad.
Before we moved to SLC we lived in Idaho Falls, Idaho and for a while Dad
worked on a route traveling to several towns servicing Juke Boxes in different
cafes. I can remember him taking me with him occasionally and how
fascinated I was when he emptied the coin boxes out of the machines. He
would sit in a booth and stack the money and put in papers. I loved
listening to the music that was always playing and watching dad interacts with
the people who worked in these establishments. I remember one time one of
the waitresses came up to dad and said "Hi Arch” and he introduced me
saying " This is my sister Glenys." To this silly
remark I came back with "Oh Grandpa, you are too funny." The
waitress laughed her face off and kept repeating the story and each time saying
that I was truly his daughter. I think that that was very flattering to
me. Everyone who knew him knew about his great sense of humor.
Jay Birks
I remember Dad Brown would
come up to our house and sit down on the couch and fall asleep and take a quick
little nap. Then he’d wake up and go back down to the little store. He loved to
buy new cars and surprised his family each time. Whenever he got in a new car,
he’d smell the new car smell and have to bring it home.
David Borget
I loved Grandpa
Brown. He always made me think when I would talk to him. He
would always be teaching me something of importance. Since I was new to
the sewing machine business I would always listen to every word.
Sometimes Elaine Brown would say something like OH Arch don't tell him that and
without hesitation he would explain that he was telling the complete truth.
I knew it was exaggerated and knew he was simply making a point to me.
Dad Brown was really a father to me personally. I had the uttermost
respect for him. I will never forget his warm smile and generous
kindness. When I had been in the business about 2 years he wiped a debt
clean at Bernina in Salt Lake. At the time it made the difference
in our staying in the sewing machine business. He was a partner with
Harrell Dalton and together they cleared the debt with no questions
asked. I knew that Dad Brown had made this happen. I have thought
many times since that the Saviors forgiveness of sin is much the same. So
you see what this has meant to me personally.
Bonnie Danielson
Daddy
was the most fun guy ever. I thought he was a genius and an artist.
He could sit and doodle the greatest things while he was talking on the phone.
He was fast on the adding machine, which was very impressive. He used to
play me in checkers and he would let me jump all of his players but one then
when he had only one left (a king) he would let me chase him a bit then all the
sudden he would turn and jump all my men in one swoop. He would do that
time after time. He was very smart. When I moved in with Jerry he
would call me every day after school to see how my day went. I would be
putting the key in the back door and I would hear the phone start to ring, I
would try to hurry and be flustered but he let it ring until I answered.
I love my dad and I never doubted that he loved me. I hear some people
talk about how their families never expressed love for one another and I am so
grateful that our family is not like that and never has been starting with my
sweet dad. I remember one time when I was little in Church Daddy was
saying the closing prayer. He walked up to the seats on the stand during
the closing song and promptly fell asleep...I remember Mother sending me up
there to wake him up. It sure is funny the little weird things you
remember after so many years. Mike reminds me a lot of my dad and that is
a huge compliment. They are both so sweet and fun to be around.
Their personalities are a lot alike I think.
Daddy was always the
guy with a pocket full of money. At any given time he would give me a
dollar to go buy a hamburger or whatever. Well when I was about seven
Mattel came out with these wonderful clothes for Barbie that you could make
yourself simply by glueing the sides together. They were all cut out when
you bought them and you used their secret fabric glue to put them
together and like magic you could make your own clothes. I was
thrilled. I thought it was the most wonderful invention ever. I
remember they cost $5.00, which was a LOT of money then for anything.
(Remember that 14 years later as a newly wed we could eat for $20/week.)
Anyway, I begged I am sure and finally Daddy gave in and one day on our way
home from the Bernina store we stopped at Grand Central and Daddy gave me the
money so I could go in and buy the wonderful clothes. I was so excited; I
found the clothes and was having the hardest time deciding which one I wanted
the most. Suddenly I realized that Daddy had given me a $10 bill...I
wouldn't need to decide I would be able to have them both. Proudly I went
to the cash register, with a big smile on my face I paid and then trotted out to
show Daddy my purchase. Well, unfortunately this was not one of Daddy's
proudest moments of me. He gave me a stern lecture on money and told me I
would have to go back in there and return one of the outfits. He demanded
that I choose which one I wanted. I couldn't decide (lots of tears and
crying by now) so I told Daddy to take them both back (using some of my
manipulation skills but not very good at them yet). He grabbed the sack
and me and away we flew back into the store. He asked which checker I had
used...I remember lying and saying I couldn't remember although I knew exactly
which one. He waltzed right up to the one closest informed her we
were returning our merchandise (both) and got the money and walked
right out. By now I was in a full fledge cry. I remember I cried
all the way home, I cried my way to my room, into my p.j's and then into
bed...still crying. After a long time I remember Daddy coming in and
rubbing my back and telling me that he loved me. I finally quit crying.
I never did get my wonderful little Barbie outfits but I certainly learned a
much bigger lesson that day. Perhaps if I had gotten those clothes I
never would have learned to sew? What a great dad I had.
Answers to Quiz for
Grandpa Browns Birthday
- 1. What year
was Grandpa Brown born? 1906
- 2. What day
of the month was Grandpa Brown born? Wednesday, October 24th
- 3. What city
and state was he born in? Centerville, Utah
- 4. How old
would Grandpa be if he were still alive? 97
- 5. Grandpa
has 5 brothers
and 5
sisters?
- 6. Do you
know who is still alive? Bertha and Ida
- 7. Do you know what date Grandpa died? October 14, 1971
just 10 days before his 65th birthday
- 8.
Do you know where he is buried and who is right next to him? Wasatch Lawn Cemetery and
his dear wife Grandma Elaine
- 9. T/F
Grandpa loved to go on vacation with little or no notice for his family. True
- 10. T/F Grandpa had 5 children True
- 11. T/F Grandpa had 3 girls then 1
BOY then one more sweet baby girl. True
- 12. Can you name all of Grandpa’s brothers and
sisters? (I’ll let you look in your
family history book if you need to? Grandpa was oldest, then Bertha, Jesse, Leo, Owen,
Jimmy, Afton, Bill Moroni, Ada, Ida, Pearl
- 13. I was Grandpa’s 2nd
granddaughter and I remember what very long _____ he had. Was it A. arms, B. hair, C. legs, or D.
fingers?
- 14. Grandpa sold sewing machines and vacuum cleaners for most of
his life.
