Eldon L Brown

Eldon L. Brown, 72, died unexpectedly in Prescott, Arizona on July 19. Eldon was a United Methodist Minister and Pastoral Counselor. His loving, accepting and wise influence has touched thousands of people. He is survived by his loving wife, Laurie, with whom they shared 25 wonderful years together. In addition to his wife, he is survived by daughter, Diane Brown; son, Brian Brown; daughter, Kathy Kirkendall; son, Jim Kirkendall; two granddaughters and three grandsons.Eldon led his life as if it were a big adventure ? always exploring, learning, taking on new challenges, enjoying each day to its fullest. Living this way was extremely important to Eldon, and he taught his children how to lead their lives in a similar way. Today, each of his children are deeply grateful for all of the adventures they?ve been able to experience, and will continue to experience in their lives as well.He was born in Corydon, Indiana on June 14, 1938, where he spent his childhood years. One of Eldon?s earliest memories is of standing on one of the back pews in church and trying to sing along with the hymns. Singing his faith has served as a profound means of grace ever since. After a large tree fell on his head at age 15 without killing him, he went to church camp and answered the ?call? to ministry. With Billy Graham as his role model, Eldon soon began preaching in the small country E.U.B. churches in Southern Indiana. Through much of college and seminary he served as a student pastor. He then received his Master?s in Pastoral Counseling at Boston University School of Theology. He served in the Southern Indiana United Methodist conference for 13 years in Independence, Brick Chapel, Union Chapel and Paoli.In 1978 he began his Ph.D studies at Claremont School of Theology and afterwards began pastoral counseling in San Diego. In 1986 he moved to Mesa, Arizona, to continue his counseling and become a supervisor of other counselors. In 1990, he formed East Valley Interfaith Counseling Center, which then became Arizona Interfaith Counseling. In 2004 he moved to Prescott, Arizona, and continued part-time counseling at Prescott UMC. One of his passions was four wheeling with the Mesa 4 Wheelers. He also loved reading, studying, photography, cars, and outdoor activities and painting.A celebration of Eldon?s life will be held at Prescott United Methodist Church on July 24 2010 at 1:00PM. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in Eldon?s name to United Theological Seminary at 4501 Denlinger Road, Dayton, OH 45426.