Jack A. Brown

Inducted in 2012

Mar 1

St. John - Apache County

Inducted in 2012

Jack A. Brown, born on May 2, 1929, in the picturesque mountain community of St. Johns, is a fifth-generation Arizonan. His roots trace back to the pioneers sent by the Mormon church to settle in northern Arizona, a heritage that would significantly shape his future and the state. "Some of the church leaders decided where to put the towns of St. Johns and Snowflake," Jack remembers. "St. Johns was a big piece of ground on the Little Colorado River in the valley." The area looked good to the settlers, so they made a deal to trade cattle for the right to the land. Some of Jack's cowboy ancestors were among a group that brought the herd down from Utah to pay for the property.

When they first came to Arizona, the Mormon settlers stopped in Brigham City, near Winslow, for a few years before moving upstream. "My grandparents were teenagers. That's where they got acquainted. They stayed there for a few years, then spread out and moved around to these different places. My two families moved up to St. Johns." Jack's grandparents more or less forgot about having met until their families found themselves in the same community. The young people were reacquainted and eventually married, making St. John their lifelong home.

Teaching school runs in Jack's family. His grandfather was the principal of the church-sponsored school, and his father and mother taught off and on throughout the area. Their dedication to education and service undoubtedly influenced Jack's values and character. Jack recalls one instance when he and his sister nearly burned down the home they were renting across the street from the school where his mother was teaching in the small town of Nutrioso. He was about 15, and his sister, Louise, was a year and a half older. One day, while their mother was busy with her class, they somehow ignited the wood box. "She (Louine) screamed and went to the school to get my mother, just across the street. Mother came flying over." Luckily, a man was working on a pole at the house, and with his help, their mother quickly extinguished the blazing wood box and removed it to the backyard. "No significant damage was done except for the smoke," Jack said. "Scared us all." The memory is one he likes to relate to his children and grandchildren.

Jack's journey in agriculture began early in life. His family ran a small farming and ranching operation, where he learned the ropes of the trade. He milked cows and assisted his father with chores at the family's slaughterhouse. Their hard work supplied beef to local groceries in St. Johns for many years. For a while, Jack added the title of beekeeper to his resumé. His grandfather had gotten him started. The family had a small business selling honey in Snowflake, Winslow, and Joseph City. However, Jack's resilience and determination were tested when an infestation of loco weed in the area forced them to destroy their hives, effectively closing the operation down.

In 1954, he completed his studies at Brigham Young University, graduating with a BS in Animal Husbandry and Ag Science. His schooling was interrupted after the first two years when he went on a mission to Brazil for his church. "I was sent way down in the southern part of Brazil, and it was just like being isolated from the whole world." He served two and a half years in Brazil. "I came back and went to BYU." While there, he met a young woman from Phoenix, Anna Vee Smithson, and fell in love and married. Seven children were born to the couple before Anna died of cancer. A couple of years later, Jack met and married Beverly Van Camp and welcomed her daughter.

As he matured, Jack helped other family members with their agricultural operations in Scottsdale, Hyder, and Tacna, where they raised watermelons, alfalfa, and citrus. When his father passed away in 1961, Jack took over the Apache County operations and expanded them until they ran 900 head of cattle. They continued to develop the ranch until it became a combination of deeded land, state grazing land, forest service grazing permits, and a small amount of BML land put together by Jack during the 1970s and 1980s.

Running for State office was separate from Jack's priorities. However, a group of his constituents had other ideas, and they convinced him that it was time for new blood to represent their interests. "I never did understand why I was the guy," he said, but he ran and won a seat in the House of Representatives in 1963. "I stayed there for 12 years. Then I went home and stayed for 12 years." Then I returned to the Legislature and stayed until 2010 for 36 years of service." Jack served in the State House of Representatives as Minority Leader and Assistant Minority Leader and in the State Senate as Senate Minority Leader and Floor Leader. He served on many committees, including the House Water & Agriculture, Rules, and Ways and Means Committees. Additionally, he was a member of the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) Legislative Management Committee and the Water Policy Committee of the Western Legislative Conference of the Council of State Governments. Jack took an active interest in agricultural issues such as pastoral tax exemption, open-range grazing, protection of rural water interests, and maintaining brand inspections.

Jack, a Democrat, is known for his ability to work across party lines. His collaborative approach with Republicans and Democrats has been critical to his successful legislative career. "I realized early on that you've got to work with both sides if you're going to accomplish anything... to do things." Water is a critical component of any agricultural operation. Jack was aware of that and served for 20 years as a member and as president of the board of the Lyman Irrigation Company. During his time on the board, he was responsible for getting the central canal from Lyman Lake to St. Johns lined with concrete. "I began to work with the Soil Conservation Service, the federal government's program. The state put some money toward it, and we decided to cement the canal and clear it down to St. Johns. Boy, did that save us a lot of water and silt coming down that ditch and everything"? Jack was in the Legislature, so he was instrumental in getting the funding for the project. The Soil Conservation Service and the State, working with local farmers, made the project possible.

He also renovated Lyman Dam and the State Park. "I was on the board of directors of the Lyman Water Company." Jack decided that they needed a park at the lake. "That's a great lake, a nice body of water; why not?" The head of the Arizona State Parks had become a friend, so Jack approached him with the idea. He thought they should look into the possibility. The project started with a small park and has grown in acreage and popularity. "It's a beautiful park today."

County Fairs have always been dear to Jack's heart. He served as the chairman of the Apache County Fair Commission for approximately forty years and was a member of the Commission for another ten. As a member of the Arizona Legislature, he was able to work to ensure funding was available for county fairs around the state.

Real estate is another of Jack's many interests. He was involved in the community as a real estate broker and has been instrumental in selling several properties in the area. In addition to his own real estate business, he partnered with his brother-in-law, a builder. "He would build the building, and I'd sell it," he said. Beverly is also a real estate broker in the St. Johns area and Phoenix. "She's done well," he said. "It gives her something to do, and she's good at it."

David and Douglas Brown said in their letter of nomination for their father, "We are two of his three lawyer sons and have practiced together for many years and have represented farming and ranching interests throughout the rural part of the state, including representing the Arizona Cattlegower's Association for over 20 years on water and grazing issues. We can attest to our father's influence in preserving farming and ranching as a way of life in Arizona." Jack likes to laugh and say that at least one of his sons is honest.

Norman has taken over the ranch's operation with Jack's active participation. Until recently, Jack has enjoyed irrigating and riding the range. "I don't ride very much since I had this last sickness," he said. "I think I'm going to ride a horse again. I'm getting a little stronger." Jack says. He served on a committee or two, which kept him active. He is very proud of his family and has a legacy with his children and grandchildren of teaching kids to love good, hard, honest work. There is still much to do with a new crop of great-grandchildren needing such a legacy.