Willis LaVern Brim, Jr., 82, long-time rancher and farmer from Downey, passed away peacefully Tuesday, August 19th in Downey, ID. LaVern was born May 11, 1932, to Willis LaVern Brim, Sr. and Erma Hyde Brim. He spent most of his growing up years on the farm in Cambridge enjoying the usual pastimes of horses, 4-H, scouting, and helping his dad on the farm milking and running the tractor. He attended elementary school in Downey and was a member of the original Blue Ribbon Beef 4-H Club.

LaVern attended Downey High School and graduated in 1950. He enjoyed every sport and has kept in contact with many of his classmates through the years. He attended BYU before going into the service and being sent to Korea where he served for 16 months from 1953-54. He was discharged as a staff sergeant in the U.S. Army. He then returned to BYU and studied agricultural economics and animal husbandry and took history and education classes.

He met Linda Pugmire of Seattle, WA, at BYU in 1959, and they were married in the Idaho Falls Temple on June 29, 1960. They have four children Stewart Pugmire, Michael LaVern (deceased), Linda Lee, and Candice Lee. They have eleven grandchildren.

LaVern worked as a carman at the P.F.E. in Pocatello for many years but his favorite work was on his 1000 acre farm. He took pride in his farming and his equipment and land were well cared for. He worked side by side with his sons and daughters and many nephews teaching them the value of a hard days work and the joy of a good harvest.

LaVern loved serving in many LDS church callings. He has served as a Primary teacher, Scoutmaster, 11 year-old Scout leader (four times), Young Men’s President, Bishop’s counselor, high councilman, stake YM counselor, and Bishop in the Downey First Ward. He and his wife Linda have served two missions for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. One was in Altoona, PA, 2002-2003, and the other in the Palmyra Temple in New York 2008-2009. They have also served as temple workers in Logan for two and a half years.

During his life he was interested in horseback riding, water skiing, snowmobiling, football, basketball, baseball, four wheeling, camping, reading, gardening, yard work, and restoring old cars. . He was an avid BYU sports enthusiast. He especially enjoyed traveling across the old Mormon trail to see historical sites and cruising to Mexico, Alaska, and the Panama Canal, but the best part was that his sweet wife was right by his side on these adventures.

He is survived by his devoted wife of 54 years, Linda Brim, of Downey; his three supportive children Dr. Stewart P. Brim (Leslie)of Spokane, WA; Linda Lee Milne (Bret) of Lehi, UT; and Candice Brim of SLC, UT; and his ten grandchildren Colby Paul, Brandi Petersen, Brodie Paul, Jaclyn (Tyson)Eckersly, Demi Petersen, Julia Brim, Nicholas Petersen, Kristin Petersen, Jinna Brim, and Jackson Hall.

The Brim family wishes to thank the staff at Whispering Pines Assisted Living Center in Downey for the 21 months of companionate care that was shown not only to LaVern but also to his wife Linda. Our friends, family, and neighbors have been unfailing in their outpouring of love and concern. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, August 23 at 2:00 p.m. in the Downey LDS Chapel. Friends may visit with the family on Friday evening from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at the church and also from 12:30-1:45 p.m. prior to the service. Burial will follow in the Cambridge Cemetery, where military rites will be performed. Arrangements are under the care and direction of Horsley’s Marsh Valley Funeral Home. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.horsleyfuneralhome.com