Mourners gathered in Libby on Friday morning to remember former mayor and retired high school teacher Fred Brown. The longtime city leader was first appointed to city council in 1961 and was elected mayor in 1973, a position he held for 24 years.
Brown died on June 3 at the Libby Care Center. He was 82.
Current and former city leaders credited Brown with helping Libby grow during the last few decades.
“He was, in a lot of ways, the father of what Libby is today,” said Tony Berget, former Libby mayor and current Lincoln County Commissioner. “Libby grew under his leadership.”
Brown was born and raised in Libby, graduated from the University of Montana in 1951 and served during the Korean War. After the war, Brown became a teacher at Libby High School and taught until 1987. It was there that he would meet some of the people who would eventually serve under him on the city council, including current Libby Fire Chief Tom Wood.
Wood said the former mayor was a major force in securing funding for such projects as the city’s sewer and water systems.
“People have to earn respect,” Wood said. “It’s not just given out, and Fred was respected. He earned it.”
Mayor Doug Roll and Berget said Brown was a tough act to follow and, even though both were on the council before becoming the city’s mayor, they gained a new appreciation for Brown after taking the office.
“He was the best mayor I knew,” Roll said. “He did a hell of a job for the city.”
When asked about Brown’s legacy, Berget said it was almost impossible to name one thing that stood out among the rest. If anything, it was his dedication to the small northwest Montana town.
“He was always looking out for the city and the people of Libby,” Berget said.
Brown is survived by his wife Marilee and eight children. He also had 26 grandchildren. Brown’s funeral was held on Friday morning at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Libby.