Thanksgiving 2011

We love you Brian, we miss you so much!

Brian Frank VanderSloot returned home to his loving Heavenly Father on Thursday, November 3, 2011.

Brian was born to Frank VanderSloot and Kathleen Zundel on June 28, 1974 in Seattle, Washington. Brian lived in a variety of places including Oregon, Minnesota, Singapore, and Idaho, where he resided most of his life. He was the third oldest of five siblings. After Frank married Belinda Boyack and Kathleen married Wayne Walden, he enjoyed an even larger family of 18 brothers and sisters. His family remembers the honorable way he led his life, the promises he always kept, and his selfless humility.

Brian graduated from Skyline High School in Idaho Falls. Brian was self-taught in computers at a very young age. He never had formal training for computers but he was a whiz. He loved music and teaching himself to play the guitar which talent he eventually used to sing to his children at bedtime. Starting at age 14, Brian began lifting weights and kept himself in top shape for the rest of his life. He was known for his enviable and large biceps and loved to show them off at any opportunity he could.

Brian received his bachelor’s degree in Business from Brigham Young University. He served an honorable mission from 1993-1995 in the Porte Alegre South Mission in Brazil for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He loved the Brazilians and served them with all his heart. He developed a love of the Portuguese language, which he taught to his boys. Brian served in various positions in his church faithfully and lovingly. He also was a founding member and Chairman of the board at White Pine Charter School. He volunteered hundreds of hours to serve the children there.

After graduating and starting his new career at Melaleuca, he married Jennifer Coburn of Sugar City, Idaho in July 19, 2002. They were blessed with two special boys — Connor and Isaac “Rocky.” He was dedicated completely to those two little boys. He was their hero. He was passionate about their educational development in all areas. The boys loved waking up early in the morning, crawling in bed with him and cuddling. They were so affectionate with each other: cuddling, hugging, and kisses.

Brian was a hard working, talented, and innovative thinker for Melaleuca. Over the last 11 years he has worked in several management positions at Melaleuca. Most recently, Brian served as the company’s director of web marketing. He has also overseen Melaleuca’s operations in Singapore and served as regional director of south Central and Northwest regions as director of call center operations. His colleagues describe Brian as extremely hard working, exceptionally talented and consummately professional. He was loved by thousands of Melaleuca employees and marketing executives around the world.On April 7, 2011 Brian married the love of his life, Paige (Bentley Mortensen) VanderSloot, who added five wonderful children — Laurie, Megan, Rachel, Hannah, and Michael. This new family was a dream come true for Brian. Brian was an affectionate and loving husband to his sweetheart. He was very hardworking and driven to be the best husband and father he could be. He put the needs of others before his own continually. As a dad he was so hands on, so passionate about teaching and educating his children—whether it was teaching them how to ride a bike, or teaching them about exotic fruits. Brian loved adventure in whatever form he could find it. He loved racing the car fast to get a reaction out of the kids—and his wife, building dry ice bombs for family viewing on the 4th of July, taking seven children on so many adventures. They explored the Grand Canyon, the Redwood forest, the Oregon Coast, Yellowstone Park, and many more places. Brian constantly reached out to fill the needs of others. He served so many and never expected anything back. He was all you could hope for and ever want in a husband, a father, a son, a brother, an uncle, a friend, and a colleague.

He is loved by so many and we will miss him so very much.

Brian is survived by his wife, Paige; his precious boys, Connor, 8, Rocky, 6; his new blessed children; Laurie, 11, Megan, 9, Rachel, 7, Hannah, 5, and Michael, 2; his parents Frank and Belinda VanderSloot, Kathleen and Wayne Walden; LaurieKae Banks (Sam), Cheri Lima (Antonio), Tiffany Smith, Matthew Trent VanderSloot (Charisa), and Cassie VanderSloot, Sara Schofield (Chris), Emily Smith (Jesse), Aaron Robinson, Eliza Ruys (Jason), Rachel Belnap (Devin), Jairus Robinson, Sadie Sabin (Jeff), Caleb Robinson, Michael Walden (Michelle), Jeff Walden (Susan), Melanie Dale (Jon), Joel Walden (Sarah), Jason Walden, and many other beloved family members. Funeral services will be at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, November 8, 2011, at the Ammon LDS Foothills Stake Center (3934 East 49 South) with Bishop Jake Dustin, of the Ammon 27th Ward, officiating. The family will visit with friends on Monday from 6-8:00 p.m. at Wood Funeral Home East Side (963 S. Ammon) and on Tuesday from 10-10:45 a.m. prior to the services at the church. A private family burial will be held.

I was asked to give his life sketch at the funeral. It was just a small collection of all the many many wonderful memories we have of him. I am in the process of recording it and will post it soon. Here a are just a few of the most recent photos and memories I have of him.

Brian and his new family.

Brian, Paige, and Brian's parents on his Wedding Day.

Brian was one of the best brothers a sibling could ask for.
Jumping for joy with his brothers. This was taken right after Paige and Brian were pronounced husband and wife.

Brian and his Bride.

This is Dad, Tony and Brian at the BYU game in the new stadium in Texas.

Uncle Brian making curry for Jazzie. My girls loved their Uncle Brian! He would visit often and play with them for hours.

He was best Dad Ever! To his boys, he loved them so much.

Brian, Connor and Rocky at the annual family 10K.

Brian cooking his famous chicken curry for the Lima family.

Brian riding a stingray in Bora Bora. He was teaching us how to hold on and ride. He was putting fish down everyone's swimming suits so they stingrays and sharks would come right up to them. He was so careful not to do it to me because he knew how terrified I already was. He was always looking out for me.

Scuba in Bora Bora. I was so scared he stayed right next to me so did my Dad and Tony. I think it was close to 60 feet.

Just me and my little brother.

Here he is just chilling out on the beach before dinner.

Tony and I took this picture of Brian sailing in Bora Bora. He loved adventure. Tony and I talked about swimming out to join him on his little cruise in the paradise.

Enjoy the paradise of heaven my sweet little brother, I am so thankful to know that I will feel your strong arms around me again and I look forward to that day I can see your sweet little smirk. Thank you for showing me how much fun life can be. I am a better person for having you in my life.

We all love and miss you so very very much!!