Judge Pat B. Brian died peacefully at his summer home in Grover, UT on June 28, 2010 of pancreatic cancer. His wife and children were at his side at the time of his death.
Pat was born March 17, 1938 to Arthur and Wilma Brian. He grew up on a ranch in Loa, Utah and was the fifth of nine children. He married Sherry Hale in the Salt Lake Temple on June 28, 1962.
Pat graduated from Brigham Young University in 1962 and then earned his law degree from Vanderbilt University in 1965. Soon afterwards he began his legal career with the District Attorney’s Office in Orange County, California. He was a federal prosecutor in Anchorage, Alaska. He was an adjunct professor at Pepperdine Law School and Brigham Young Law School for a combined 24 years. He lectured extensively in Mongolia, China, and Ukraine on the American Rule of Law. He also had the unique privilege of serving as a visiting professor at the prestigious Fudan University Law School in Shanghai, China. Pat was inducted as a lifetime member of the Shanghai Arbitration Commission. Judge Brian served for 23 years as a district court judge in Salt Lake City, Tooele and Summit Counties. He loved the law.
Church service was paramount in Pat’s life. He served as a bishop, stake president, mission president, regional representative, director of the Kirtland Ohio Historic Sites, and as a temple worker.
Pat’s lifetime hobby was traveling the world with his wife. His travels through mortality are now over. One door closes and another door opens.
Pat is survived by his wife Sherry, his six children and 21 grandchildren. Their children are Darin Brian Nielson (Peter), Derik Brian (April), Kurt Brian (Marnie), Brett Brian (Christy), Kam Brian (Katherine) and Brandi Brian Terry (Jacob). He is also survived by four of his siblings -- Bill, Dick, Linda and Camiel.
A closed casket viewing will be held on Thursday evening, July 1st, from 6 to 8 pm at the Larkin Mortuary on 10600 South and 1700 East in Sandy, UT. The funeral will be held on Friday morning, July 2, at 10 am at the LDS chapel on Mike Weir Drive in Draper, UT, preceded by a viewing from 9 to 10 am.
We will all miss "the Court."
ReplyDeleteHe was a good and fair man. I can think of no better compliment to pay to someone like Pat.
Pat was a wonderful friend and my "counselor" for many years. He performed the first marriage in the new Salt Lake City Court house, for my wife and I, and helped her into getting into law school. Words cannot express how much he will be missed, and how many lives he has positively affected, for generations to come. Thank you, Pat.
ReplyDeleteUncle Pat or what I would like to call Judge Brian the Great, was such an amazing example of how to be upbeat about life. I remember when I would visit the ranch the classic Pat smile and his signature cheek squeeze! He always made everyone feel so special. I will never forget the cherished memories of Captain Pat at Lake Powell. Even if the boat met it's full capacity he would always let anyone come along with "the more the merrier", attitude. His life of service, love, and passion for life will forever remain with those he has left behind. Love you Uncle Pat!
ReplyDeleteOne of his "one liners" while he served in Kirtland was "ALL RIGHT!" Every step he took up the stairs you could hear him say "ALL RIGHT!"
ReplyDeleteWe became very close to Pat and Sherry while we served with them in Kirtland. We will miss him very much. Newell and Gloria Harward
I will never forget the day I met Elder Brian. I was a new missionary and had only been in Kirtland 1 day when we were preparing to sing for a bus load of people coming into Kirtland. I grabbed a hymn book so I'd be prepared and he said to me, "Sister Winkel, lock yourself in the closet and don't come out until you've memorized that hymn!" As I look back on my time in Kirtland it is easy to see all the things Elder Brian taught me. He taught me the importance of memorizing hymns and being prepared to sing them when needed. He taught how to be confident and speak with the spirit. He taught optimism in all situations. And most importantly, he taught how to love other people and to show genuine concern for their well-being.
ReplyDeleteI will always treasure my time in Kirtland with Elder and Sister Brian. Some of my favorite times were the breakfasts that included their famous sourdough pancakes and my all time favorite saying, "butter them while they're hot”! It was a privilege to serve my mission in Kirtland under the direction of such a capable and charismatic man. I’ll always be thankful for the lessons learned from Elder Pat Brian.
Love,
Kristen Winkel
I don't know Pat nearly as well as others who have commented, yet I'd like to share my appreciation for the few moments we spent with him while buying a little red Subaru Legacy (that, by they way, is still working well) from one of Pat's sons.
ReplyDeleteWe actually never met the son, but Pat's upbeat and friendly attitude made the whole experience a joy.
There are some people you almost instantly recognize as noble souls. Pat is such a man.
Scott & Amy Seiter
Memories of Kirtland
ReplyDeleteI was so fortunate to have served under Elder Brian at the Kirtland Historical sites. Elder Brian was so dedicated to the work and truly loved the Lord. He had a great talent of making everyone feel special. I remember sitting in his office with my companion asking him questions about the gospel. I remember feeling the sweet, peaceful impressions of the spirit so strong. It was a memorable moment in my life when I recognized the truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ. I loved being asked by Elder Brian to sing for our visitors at the site. He knew how to bring the spirit. He created a family of missionaries at these sites.
Love Always,
Melanie Bradshaw Medaris
I worked at Nielsen & Senior in the mid-80s as a courier while going to the U. Pat had me doing various deliveries all over the Salt Lake Valley both for the law firm and personal, usually church related. I remember one time he had me deliver an urgent envelope and stressed how important it be delivered by a certain time. I found out upon delivery that it was merely a recipe of his wife's that he had promised to deliver to another church colleague. That was one of the of many personal deliveries I did for him. He was a fair man and more importantly a generous man. I had the great honor of attending his swearing-in ceremony at the state Capitol when he became a third district judge. I also helped move some of his furniture from the law firm into his chambers. I have many memories of Pat, too many to mention here but he was a tremendous influence in my life during my college years.
ReplyDeleteSherry: Though we have not corresponded since our college roommate years, I just want to send my condolences to you and your beautiful family for your loss. Unfortunately we are vacationing and won't be able to attend the services for your darling husband today. May the Lord be with you today and in the future. Love, Vicki Treu
ReplyDeleteWe so loved this man. He was our idea of "The Perfect Human Being". He loved hearing our tale of when he offered his vacation home to us (20 years ago) and we could NOT find the key. We decided to climb through an open window for access. After we were there 1/2 hour ... we noticed there were no photos of Pat or Sherry. We asked the day worker outside, and he pointed to the house on the NEXT PROPERTY. We were in the WRONG HOME! Pat loved that story and telling us, "Oh not a problem, that's also a relatives home." YIKES! (If YOU are "that relative" ... our apologies... 20 years late!!) Blessings to the entire BRIAN family. We are so saddened with this news. Lou & Terri Walsh, Fallbrook, CA
ReplyDeleteA particular memory has been with me since learning of President Brian,s passing. This memory took on additional meaning to me after attending his funeral. Please let me share... My husband and I were to be sealed in January of 1976 and had a temple interview appointment with President Brian in the old Laguna Beach Chapel. The building was very busy that night and he couldn't locate an empty room to use. Without hesitation, he grabbed a coupe of chairs and opened the first door he saw and we experienced the power and authority of the Holy Priesthood in a broom closet. I can just imagine the power and authority he could muster in the courtroom!
ReplyDeleteLee and Kathy Primm, Leeds, UT
I just heard the sad news today via "Elder" Frew through Facebook. My heart goes out to Sister Brian and the Brian family for what is a great loss. What a stalwart and impressive man Pres. Brian was back in the early 80s as Mission President of the OTM, the Only True Mission, as President had us all calling it. I worked close with Pres. Brian in the mission office and he would always tell me "a cluttered desk means a cluttered mind." I would always laugh because my desk was always cluttered but never his! Hardly even a sheet of paper on it. I didn't keep much contact with President and Sis. Brian after my mission but I have some great pictures that I run across now and then and remember this
ReplyDeletesteadfast, sure, and unflinching man in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. A man that could grin like no other and would greet you with the firmest hand-shake.
With deepest sympathy,
"Elder" John Lage 1981-1983 OTM
I echo all the sentiments expressed by the others. He was a wonderful Stake President and friend. Pres. Brian helped me to see that life was worth living after my husband of 24 years died. He helped me decide which path to take, and how to proceed. He and his wife, Sherry welcomed me into their home in Utah for a few days while I was struggling with making a decision. He was the kindest, most thoughtful person I've ever known. How I wish that I had kept in touch to tell him how well everything turned out.
ReplyDeleteI served under President Brian in the Oklahoma Tulsa Mission. I consider it a privilege and an honor to have known him. The example he set for me, a young and impressionable “kid”, will never be forgotten. He taught me to work hard and always live to be worthy of the influence of the Spirit in everything I do. I have tried to live my life based on that principle.
ReplyDeleteI was very saddened when I heard of his passing. My condolences go out to his family and loved ones. He will be missed.
Thank you, President Brian, for your influence and the life’s lessons you taught me. Our loss is the gain of those who have waited patiently for your return. Keep your shoes shined!
Elder James Scalise