Ernest (Ernie) Arthur Brown, 81, of Rexburg, passed away Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2016, at the Homestead Assisted Living Center in Rexburg, Idaho, of natural causes.

He was born June 18, 1934 in Reno, Nevada, to Lester Ellis Brown and Dolores Marie Brewster. He was their only child.

He was raised in Sparks, Nevada, during the Great Depression and the second World War, and learned early to be frugal and practical. He loved music and reading from his childhood, and sang and learned throughout his life.

Though he loved history the most, he took up chemistry as a career. He earned a bachelor's degree in that subject at the University of Nevada and secured a job with the Nevada State Bureau of Mines. He married Margaret Owen on his first paycheck, in July of 1956.

Feeling he needed to learn more chemistry, he earned a master's degree at the University of Nevada, followed by a Ph.D. at Brigham Young University. He was hired by Shell to work in Houston, where he and Margaret raised their three sons.

He was transferred to a refinery in Washington State, where he was the manager of quality assurance, safety, and training. He retired early to help Margaret take care of their aging parents. In 2004, after their parents had passed away, they moved to Rexburg where they lived out the rest of their lives.

Ernie was well-loved and well-respected all his life. His sense of humor and his easy and supportive manner put others at ease. He was a hard worker who always sought to do his part, and was given to pressing forward even when things looked bleak. He was a gifted teacher and speaker, much valued for his extensive knowledge and wisdom, especially in matters of scripture and religious doctrine.

He was a devoted member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, serving throughout his life in such positions as Sunday School instructor, High Priests instructor, stake missionary, early-morning seminary teacher, bishop's counselor, bishop, high councilor, counselor in a stake presidency, temple ordinance worker, and stake patriarch.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his wife. He is survived by his sons Martin Owen (Patricia Ann) Brown, of Needville, Texas; James Lester (Susan Wickham Anderson) Brown, of Mt. Vernon, Washington; and David Ellis (Carol Noffke) Brown, of Rexburg, Idaho, as well as by eleven grandchildren and four great-granddaughters.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, January 30 at 11:00 a.m. in the Rexburg East Stake Center chapel at 425 S. 4th E. in Rexburg. The family will receive friends Friday evening from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. at Flamm Funeral Home, 61 N. 1st E. in Rexburg and Saturday from 10:00 to 10:45 a.m. at the stake center prior to services. Burial will be at the Burton Cemetery. The family requests that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the temple fund of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, or to the charity of the donor's choice.