Kelly Max Brown

Heading Out on the Eternal Trail: Kelly Max Brown

July 28, 1962 – June 4, 2026

On June 4, 2026, the mountains of Utah lost one of their truest sons. Kelly Max Brown, a genuine cowboy at heart, tipped his hat to this world and rode out on his final trail. He drew his last breath just the way a good man should—surrounded by the warmth and love of his devoted family.

A Life Well-Lived in the High Country

Born on July 28, 1962, to Max Donald Brown and Kathleen Beck Brown, Kelly was raised running wild and free in the beautiful valley of Alpine, Utah. He was a boy who always preferred the open air to four walls, but he put in the honest miles to graduate with the American Fork High School Class of 1980.

​Every good cowboy needs a strong partner to ride the river with, and Kelly found the absolute love of his life early down the road. On April 21, 1981, he took Ranae Robison to be his wife. For over 45 years, through every sunrise and storm, they walked hand-in-hand. Together, they raised two daughters, Brandi and Hayley, who were the absolute pride of Kelly’s heart.

​Kelly was a man who knew the value of hard work and thick calluses. In his younger days, he earned his keep at the Geneva Coke Plant. He was a certified welder and had a generous heart to match; if a neighbor’s trailer broke or a friend needed iron fixed, Kelly was right there with his hood down ready to help. He believed in passing honest skills down to the next generation, spending evenings teaching the local Boy Scouts the art of welding.

​He brought that same grit to Keller Construction, where he dedicated 42 proud years as a superintendent. He was a leader on the job site—fair, tough, and respected by every man who worked alongside him. Even after hanging up his tool belt at Keller, he wasn't quite ready to sit still, spending a couple of good years lending his hand and working for Cedar Hills City before finally calling his working days done.

Saddled Up and Mountain Bound

When the boots came off the clock, Kelly lived for the wild spaces. He was an avid, old-school outdoorsman who was happiest with reins in his hands and a mountain peak in his sights. He spent his best days hunting in the high country, going on long horse-packing trips into the wilderness, camping under a blanket of stars, and casting a line into quiet mountain streams. The smell of pine, the creak of saddle leather, and the company of a good horse were all the heaven he needed on this earth.

Those Left to Keep the Campfire Burning

Kelly’s legacy lives on in the hearts of the family he protected and loved fiercely:

His Beloved Wife: Ranae Robison Brown

His Daughters: Brandi Brown and Hayley Brown

His Joy and Grandson: Gage Martinez

His Sisters: Gina Chalk (and husband Gary) and Kathy Jensen

​Meeting Him at the High Divide

​There to meet him with open arms where the mountain trail meets the sky are his loving parents who crossed over ahead of him:

​His Parents: Max Donald Brown and Kathleen Beck Brown

"Happy trails to a husband, father, grandfather, brother, and true cowboy. Ride high, ride free, Kelly. We'll meet you at the high camp."

Funeral Services for Kelly will be held on Saturday June 20, 2026 at 11:00 am in the Mountainville 2nd Ward Chapel located at, 165 North 100 East Alpine, Utah. Family and friends are invited to attend a visitation on Saturday morning from 9:30-10:30 am prior to the service at the church. Interment will be held at the Alpine City Cemetery located at 175 East Pioneer Road Alpine, Utah.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Kelly Max Brown, please visit our floral store.