Stephen Brown, 81

Stephen LaRue Brown, 81, passed away Friday, Aug. 4, 2023, in Sandpoint, Idaho, in his home, surrounded by loved ones.

Memorial services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 31, 2023, at the North Summit Church.

Steve was born March 11, 1942, in Los Angeles, Calif., to LaRue and Richie Brown. He grew up and attended schools in North Hollywood. He earned his bachelor's degree in biology at the University of Southern California.

In the 1960s, he owned a Texaco service station in North Hollywood and, along with running the station, did the mechanic work himself. He then worked as a railroad engineer for 20 years in Portola, Calif., was a contractor for 30 years in California and Texas and built over 3,000 homes. Later in life, he worked as a very successful real estate appraiser. In 2002, he moved to Sandpoint.

He enjoyed fishing, camping, investing, conservative politics, gardening, restoring cars, and Christianity, having recently been baptized as a born-again believer. He is recognized around Sandpoint in his restored 1969 Pontiac "Lola Mae" with an exquisite American flag paint job covering the car.

Steve was married five times, to Marilyn, Sherry, Pam, Lola and Shirley.

He is survived by his wife, Shirley Brown, in Sandpoint; five children, Carri Morgan (Charlie) of Sandpoint, Idaho, Kevin (Leanne) Brown of Hayden, Idaho, Jamie (Ryan) Shepard of Redding, Calif., Ryan Brown of Redding, Calif., and Stephen Brown Jr. of Sandpoint; and eight grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

He was preceded in death by his parents and one sister, Chloe.

Memorial donations may be made in Steve’s name to "Tunnel to Towers Foundation" or "Turning Point USA."

Lakeview Funeral Home in Sandpoint is handling the arrangements. Please visit Steve’s online memorial at www.lakeviewfuneral.com and sign his guest book.