Melvin Richins Brown

Melvin Richins Brown passed away peacefully on the morning of July 17, 2026, surrounded by his family.

Mel was born to Leonard and Esther Brown on February 15, 1938 in Henefer, Utah, as the second of five wonderful and hard-working children (Gary, Mel, Glen, Linda, and Marilyn). His parents instilled in him a lifelong commitment to the gospel of Jesus Christ, hard work, and his family. Mel treasured his parents and their memories, always looking up to them as examples to emulate.

Mel was a lifelong Brave, through and through, and maintained an abiding pride in North Summit, its legacy and traditions. He graduated from high school in 1956 (“hard as nails and tough as bricks”), and then went to play football at Brigham Young University. He married Jolene Rasband in 1957, and they were blessed with four children (Jeff, Robert, Cheryl, and Curtis). Mel finished college at Utah State University, studying to teach and—most importantly—coach high school boys basketball.

In addition to teaching and coaching, Mel and his brothers poured concrete for what would become the Brown Family Dairy in 1959, and dairy farming would come to define his life. Working with cows, horses, machinery, and the land were sources of continual joy for Mel—as well as providing continual opportunities to refine his cussing.

Mel and Jolene moved to Craig, Colorado in 1963, where he coached basketball at Moffat County High School. Mel remembered those he taught and coached all his life and would often recount stories of students and athletes that he had been privileged to interact with. Mel and Jolene moved back to Utah in 1968, where he finished a career of teaching and coaching at Murray High School. Mel and Jolene divorced in 1998.

As a lifelong know-it-all with a passionate commitment to telling people how to mind their own business, Mel entered politics and was elected to the Utah State Legislature in 1986. He served in total for twenty-four years. In 1995 he was sworn in as Speaker of the House, where he served for four years. He had strong principles and was fiercely patriotic. Among other things, he advocated for the protection of property and water rights, young offenders, homeless people, fair property taxes, and the dignity of ranchers and farmers. He was a persuasive political leader and spoke plainly while cutting to the essence of the principles involved. It did not hurt that he had the handshake of a very strong man. One of his crowning legislative achievements was to materially reform the School Trust Land Program involving millions of acres in Utah. He sponsored and passed legislation directing the administrators to adhere to trust principles, and to manage the remaining lands and funds as a business strictly for the “best interests” of public schools and the other institutional beneficiaries. Today, the trust fund has grown from a small amount to nearly five billion dollars and continues to grow annually. Utah’s public schools will receive one hundred and thirty-four million dollars this fall because of Mel’s vision and tireless work. He will always be the father of Utah’s School and Institutional Trust Lands Program.

Mel married Jill Brown in 2000, and was thrilled to join her in raising her four kids (Kenny, Luke, Kelsi, and Shelby)—soon to be joined by two more (Esther and Melvin II). Mel was a source of strength, safety, and stability for Jill and their children, and together with Jill created a haven for their kids and friends.

Mel then served another stint in the Utah State Legislature, representing eastern Summit County, and then “retired” to manage his farm, drive a school bus, and hold court at the Coalville Chevron. He was a treasured member of his community, with a farmer’s handshake and a timely lecture for everyone that he came in contact with.

Mel served faithfully in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in many callings, including as a bishop and stake president, although his favorite calling would always be as a gospel doctrine teacher. Mel was a dedicated disciple of Jesus Christ who bore a steady witness of the power of Christ’s Atonement and the Restoration of of the gospel.

Mel is survived by his wife, Jill, his children, Jeffrey (Debbie), Robert (Jeannette), Curtis (Tera), Cheryl (Stephen), Kenny (Kristin), Kelsi (Joe), Shelby, Esther (Jair), and Melvin II (Frida). He is also survived by his siblings, Gary (Merrillee), Glen (Frankie), Linda (Leland), and Marilyn (Steve). He is also survived by twenty-five grandchildren and forty-one great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his father and mother, Leonard and Esther Brown, and his son, Luke.

A viewing will be held on Saturday, July 25, 2026, from 10:00 to 11:45 AM at the Hoytsville Chapel located at 1095 S Hoytsville Rd Hwy 189, Coalville, UT 84017, followed by funeral services at 12:00 PM.

Mel worked hard every day of his life, tending the farm, lecturing those fortunate enough to be caught within his orbit about correct political principles, and providing comprehensive surveys of the genealogies of eastern Summit County. We will miss him every day of our lives, but his memory will continue to be treasured through his political legacy, his community, and his loving family. We will look forward to seeing him again with a full confidence in the resurrection of the dead through our Savior Jesus Christ, and we rejoice in the hope that we have in eternal families made possible by our Redeemer.

Jill wants to especially thank Stephanie Morris, Elsie Ercanbrack, and those at the Utah Valley Hospital for providing such wonderful and compassionate care to Mel at the end of his life.

In lieu of flowers, we would ask that you donate to the Lucas Terrill Kitchen Foundation, at live4yourluke.com, a foundation dedicated to his son’s memory and suicide awareness and prevention.