Derek Joseph Brown

Derek Joseph Brown, 19, was killed in a head-on collision Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2014. Derek lived, loved, worked and played with passion – our hearts find it hard to fathom never seeing him again. Derek sought to live his life with integrity. He kept Christ his focus in all things, and Derek's love for the Lord was as unwavering as our love for him.

On March 31, 1995, in Livingston, Derek joined Mistee in our family; Kelly and I had no idea that we would only have 19 years with him. He was always a happy, smiley baby with skinny little legs and a big, round tummy and cheeks. He followed his big sister Mistee headlong into every crazy adventure, and when Violet and later Kelly Jr., came along, we had the best team of all-stars two people could ever ask for. His family was his first love.

Derek started school in Belgrade, found his lifelong zeal for sports, and a family in the Belgrade Church of Christ. The Brown family moved to Florence in April 2006. He was in fifth grade, and couldn't wait to play baseball. He was a catcher, and could get to first base before the runner. They called him "The Bunt Assassin," and he loved getting in and out of a pickle. He was ready for a pickup game anywhere, anytime.

He ran track during middle school and won every race he ran; he was competitive and would mentally talk himself through the race. He loved being the tail end of the relay race, and would pound the pavement as hard as it took. He finally beat a five-minute mile – during a hail storm his freshman year of high school. Derek was always busy doing something, including raising hogs with the Bearcreek Buckaroos.

Derek learned the language of music from his band teacher in Florence. He played percussion and loved to be a part of the band. The comraderie and escapades of pep band and drum line were irreplaceable to him. His band family was loud and crazy, and that's how he liked it. His band parent/teacher, and the other staff at the Florence Carlton High School, spent four mischievously memorable years with Derek. He celebrated his 19th birthday in Ireland with his classmates and teachers and Mom.

He took being a teammate very seriously, playing football first in Corvallis, then for the school in Florence. He was blessed with coaches who showed him how to conscientiously live your life as a Christian athlete, and he tried to be a role model for his football brotherhood. His Falcon football brothers were together through thick and thin, and you knew you were watching something amazing when you saw those boys together. He was loved dearly by his Falcon Moms, who kept him well fed and photographed. He always had his tailgater and believed that loud music was the best motivator.

Derek fell in love with rugby while he was still in high school, and was on the Bitterroot Warriors team that went on to win state with an inspirational group of young rugby players and their parents. Derek had found a new group of brothers at the Montana State University Rugby Club and was so excited to be No. 11 – forward wing. We couldn't wait to watch him.

Derek was a sophomore at the MSU College of Engineering, and was a resident adviser at North Hedges. Going back to Bozeman was, in a lot of ways, like going home for Derek; his church family in Belgrade wrapped him in their love.

Derek spent summers at Camp Utmost and loved the combination of learning about Christ, accountability and being in the outdoors. He went to Echo at the City Life Center in Missoula, and had a close relationship with his mentors there. Derek loved camping, outdoor adventures and being in the water. His favorite places were Lost Trail, Hyalite Lake, Seeley Lake and Salt Creek, Washington.

He is survived by his parents, Kelly and Jocelyn Brown; his sisters, Mistee and Violet Brown; and his little brother, Kelly Brown Jr., all of Florence; uncle, Vincent McIntyre (Randi and cousin Madeline) of Pullman, Washington; Uncle Kenny Brown (Lorrie and cousin Kolter Amos-Brown), Aunt Meshia Peltier (cousins Leinaala and Zachary) and Aunt Jessica Turley (cousins Robert, Conner and Aubrey) of the Denver area; cousins, Kristin and Destiny Brown of Florence; grandmother, Marlene LaShomb of Emigrant; grandfather, James McIntyre of Port Angeles, Washington; and grandfather, Dale Brown of Florence. Katelin Hancock was a very important part of his life as well. He was preceded in death by his Grandma Brown and uncle, Kevin Brown.

Services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Sept. 26, at the Florence Carlton High School in the new gym.

You ran the good race, Derek; you are home now. (2 Timothy 4:7) You will forever be "The Ruler of our Hearts." Just like your name means "Leader of the People."
Read Derek Brown's Obituary and Guestbook on www.missoulafuneralhomes.com.