Brown, Leonard William

CORRAL, Idaho (KMVT/KSVT) —Leonard William Brown, 84, a resident of Corral, Idaho passed away, Saturday, November 9th 2024, at home with his family.

Leonard was born on November 8th 1940, in Navarro, California, the son of Orin Brown and Laurabelle Price, on his grandmother’s couch. Leonard was the 4th of 8 children and was raised in and around the small logging community of Fort Bragg. Leonard worked hard from an early age and always took great pride and responsibility in being able to provide for the wellbeing of his family. Leonard started his education in the first grade at The Noyo School. He continued his education in Fort Bragg until he graduated from Fort Bragg High School in June of 1959. After graduation, Leonard began his journey of employment working as a firefighter for CAL Fire.

Leonard had known this pretty dark-haired girl for years from school, and one day while she was playing in a swamp, he finally asked her to go out with him. They dated for nearly a year before they decided to marry. He married Celia June Mack on July 16th 1960 in Fort Bragg, California. This began a life of love and dedication that many would benefit from. They always worked hard together and became a great team. Leonard loved Celia, and she continues to love him. He worked in the logging and lumber industries for Scotia Lumber Co, Union Lumber Co, and AJ Gray Lumber Co for several years before starting a new adventure. During this time Leonard and Celia had two beautiful daughters, Lynn in 1961 and Laurie in 1964.

Leonard’s next journey came when he began distributing for Ukiah Food Products. This blossomed into a new passion when he purchased a grocery store of his own in the early 1970’s. They called it Brown’s Market. The store was a family affair; in the early years Leonard could be found in the back butchering meat for sale while little Lynn stood on top of a milk crate to reach the cash register. This grocery store was a staple in the community of Fort Bragg. It was a grocery store, YES, but it was a whole lot more. It had a butcher market and sporting goods shop that would attract people from all around. It was also a place where friends came because of Leonard’s charismatic and witty personality. It was very important to the growth of the family. Leonard’s first grandchildren could be found roaming the isles of the store until they decided to sell it in 1987.

They stayed busy with their 300 head of cattle from Wages Creek to Navarro Ridge, raising their family and other children, and the beginnings of an excavation business. Leonard enjoyed traveling with his family and friends throughout the Pacific Northwest on hunting trips. Leonard and Celia sold the store and moved to Corral, Idaho in the spring of 1987. This risky move was inspired by a Thanksgiving trip the year before when the door of their camp trailer froze shut. Welcome to THE Camas Prairie! They were always busy; he loved working outside with his hands, the land was his passion. They ran cattle in the mountains at the Gooding Cow Camp, built fences on the most treacherous of slopes, and farmed the prairie. There were never enough hours in the day for Leonard. He was determined to squeeze every drop of daylight out of his day, and well after that… The tractors had headlights! One of Leonard’s greatest accomplishments was passing on his work ethic to his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren along with many other people who he cared for throughout his life. Leonard and Celia were always very willing to lend a helping hand.

He started Brown’s Backhoe service, which soon became a family endeavor as well. His grandchildren and great grandchildren spent many hours helping with the business. He would do anything; he could never say no; he loved the challenge. Leonard loved his family and friends deeply. He always had some smart-ass comment or was quick with several jokes of questionable standing. He had quite the sense of humor and loved to make people laugh. Leonard traveled to Africa to hunt. He went for an extended trip and was able to use his excavation experience to build a runway on the ranch where he was staying. He loved the land, the animals, and the people. He went back several times, bringing family along for the adventure. Leonard loved hunting, fishing, and anything outdoors.

Leonard was very proud of his heritage. He was a Native American and a member of the Wailaki Tribe from Northern CA, and it was very important to him to be part of the Native life. Through his skilled woodworking he made many beds and swings, giving a swing to the Shoshone-Bannock tribe that can still be seen outside of their casino. He continued to run his hoe until he just couldn’t do it anymore.

Leonard began his battle with cancer in the summer of 2023. He was a fighter his entire life, so he figured he had this in the bag, and trust me, we all hoped he did too! He fought valiantly for nearly a year and a half before being called home to God.

Leonard is preceded in death by his parents - Orin and Laurabelle; son-in-laws - Peter McGuire and Scott Bertozzi; granddaughter - Samantha Bertozzi, and many other family members.

Leonard is survived by his wife - Celia Brown; two daughters - Lynn McGuire of Corral, ID and Laurie Bertozzi of Ukiah, CA. His grandchildren and great grandchildren - Abbigayle and Chad Lukkasson, their son Rocket of Hailey, ID, Alexis and Dustin Pedrotti, their children Natalia, Dominica, and Carter of Redwood Valley, CA, Richie Dukes of Roseworth, ID, Eric McGuire, his son Fisher of Corral, ID, Anthony Bertozzi, his son Mason of Ukiah, CA, and Adriane and Tony Gonsales of Corral, ID.

A graveside service will be held on Saturday, November 16, 2024 at 1:00 pm at the Mountain View Cemetery in Fairfield.

The family will have a celebration of life for Leonard in the Spring of 2025.

In lieu of flowers please consider donating to your local 4-H or FFA club, as anything Agriculture was where Leonard’s heart was tied.

Funeral arrangements are under the care and direction of Demaray Funeral Service – Gooding Chapel.