Maurice “Mo” Dean Brown, M.D., an orthopedic surgeon dedicated to his patients, family, and friends, died of self-inflicted wounds on August 22, 2022, at the age of 62.
Dr. Brown was an orthopedic physician and surgeon in the U.S. Army and, later, in private practice across the United States but most especially in Montana and Idaho.
Brown was born on August 12, 1960, to Joy Mangum and LaVon Dean Brown in Shelly, Idaho. He graduated high school in Sugar City, Idaho in 1978. The next year, he married his first wife Jodi Sue Smith.
His road to a medical career wasn’t a straight path. He first attended Ricks College now known as Brigham Young University-Idaho and then earned a Bachelor of Science degree in zoology from the University of Utah. He would ultimately earn his medical degree from George Washington University Medical School.
Brown completed an orthopedic surgery residency at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C., and served in the U.S. Army from 1985 to 1998. During that time, he lived in Aurora, Colorado, Dugway, Utah, Silver Spring, Maryland, Hyattsville, Maryland. He ended his years of service back in Aurora at Fitzsimons Army Medical Center.
In 1998, he started a private orthopedic practice in Montana that served the rural communities of Ronan, Polson, and Plains. He also treated patients at clinics in Thompson Falls and Hot Springs.
Brown had six children from his first marriage. When he and his children moved to Polson, Montana, it was there he met his wife Tammy Sherick Brown who also had a son.
After 10 years in Montana, he and his family moved back to Idaho in 2006 where he joined Teton Valley Hospital. There he developed a community clinic. While in Teton Valley, he and his wife had another child.
Brown also cherished spending time with family and friends. He loved being active, skiing, hunting, snowmobiling, and playing gold. He especially loved golf.
“In an active, hardworking community like Teton Valley, chances are you could say ‘I know Mo,’” his family wrote. “He will be missed by many.”
He is preceded in death by his younger brother Clay; his mother Joy and his father Dean Brown; his mother-in-law Carol Sherick; as well as his grandparents.
He is survived by his wife Tammy; daughters Sandi Henderson of Missoula, Montana, Jennifer Brown in Boise, Idaho, Shelbi Brown of Missoula, Eliza Brown of Boise and Rudi Brown of Victor; and his sons Zachary Brown of Boise, Sutter Brown in Missoula and Sam Matelich of Missoula and his four grandchildren. He also leaves behind his sister Clarene Brown of Rexburg and his brother Cody Brown of Polson, Montana.
His family wrote, “His passing leaves behind much sadness and unanswered questions, reminding us to hug each other, offer help and always say thank you for a job well done. He loved, lived, worked, and played with a passion. He often said he was so lucky to have the greatest job in the world—fixing people. We are heartbroken that he felt it was time to go. We all still needed more time with him.”
