Hyde Park, Utah: DeAlton Thomas Brown, 88 passed away on April 20, 2005 in Logan, Utah. He was born January 6, 1917 of goodly parents, Ira and Emma Lyman Brown. De was the eldest of seven children. He had three brothers and three sisters.

Raised in Logan, he attended local schools, graduating from Logan High School in 1934. It was during De's youth that he developed a love of the outdoors. He was eight years old when his dad took him fishing for the first time. From then on he was "hooked" on fishing and remained an avid fisherman throughout his life. Ice fishing also became an outdoor sport De enjoyed. De loved and excelled at hunting and trapping. To supplement his income in his younger days, he trapped skunks and muskrats and sold their pelts. His interest in hunting included duck, goose, pheasant, deer, and elk.

The real love of De's life, however, was his eternal sweetheart, Elsie. De and Elsie both loved to dance. It was at a dance at the Dansante in Logan where De first swept Elsie off her feet. Later in life De learned to play the organ and enjoyed spending evenings playing Elsie her favorite love songs. De married Elsie Seamons in the Logan Temple on August 4, 1938. They shared 62 happy years together until Elsie passed away on May 23,2000. Their lives were blessed with their three children: Russell, Carlton, and Deanna.

In 1937 De began his studies in Forestry at the Agricultural College in Logan (now Utah State University). After attending for 2 ½ years, De sought full-time employment. He had previously worked as a painter and a fireman, and now became employed as a custodian for the Logan School District. His employment was interrupted in April 1944 when World War II broke out and De was drafted into the service. Following several months of basic training, De was sent to Italy as a replacement in the Artillery of the 88th Blue Devil Division. Prior to his discharge in February 1946, De was awarded the Purple Heart for service to his country.

Upon returning home, De resumed his college education, graduating in 1948 with a degree in Forestry with an emphasis in Wildlife Management.

Throughout his life De exemplified the value of hard work and had worked various jobs, but his life's main vocation began in 1949 when he and Elsie began their own mink ranch in Hyde Park. De was an excellent and successful rancher and took great pride in his work, winning several prestigious awards during his career. After 37 years De retired in 1985.

De was always an active and participating member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. At the time of his death he was a High Priest in the Hyde Park Sixth Ward.De and Elsie generously shared their lives' success by always trying to help others. They rewarded many of the young men whom they employed by later helping finance their missions for the L.D.S. Church. They continued to assist many others in their quest for an education and in pursuing worthy goals. Loved and respected by many, De's presence will be greatly missed by his dear friends and family.

Surviving De are his two sons, Russell (Betty) of Ripley, West Virginia, and Carlton (Yasuko) of Hyde Park; and one daughter, Deanna (Stan) of Ogden; his ten grandchildren and three great grandchildren; two brothers, Marriner (La Verle) and Frances (Loa); and two sisters, Lois (Max Hess) and Edith (Vernon Christensen). De was preceded in death by his cherished companion, Elsie; his parents; brother, Edward, and sister, Clarice.

Funeral services will be held at 12:00 noon, Monday, April 25, 2005 at the Hyde Park Stake Center, 535 East 200 South. Friends may call at the Allen-Cranney Mortuary, 420 East 1800 North, North Logan on Sunday evening from 5-7 p.m. and at the Stake Center on Monday from 10:30-11:30 a.m. prior to services. Interment will be in the Hyde Park Cemetery with military honors.