Brian Frank VanderSloot returned home to his loving Heavenly Father on Thursday, Nov. 3, 2011.
Brian was born June 28, 1974, in Seattle to Frank VanderSloot and Kathleen Zundel. 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 Boyock 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, a 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 to 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, on 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 hardworking, 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 hardworking, 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 Fourth of July, and taking seven children on so many adventures. They explored the Grand Canyon, the redwood forest, the Oregon coast, Yellowstone National 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, and Rocky, 6; his new blessed children, Laurie, 11, Megan, 9, Rachel, 7, Hannah, 5, and Michael, 2; his parents, Frank and Belinda VanderSloot, and Kathleen and Wayne Walden; siblings, LaurieKae (Sam) Banks, Cheri (Antonio) Lima, Tiffany Smith, Matthew Trent (Charisa) VanderSloot, and Cassie VanderSloot, Sara (Chris) Schofield, Emily (Jesse) Smith, Aaron Robinson, Eliza (Jason) Ruys, Rachel (Devin) Belnap, Jairus Robinson, Sadie (Jeff) Sabin and Caleb Robinson; and many other beloved family members.
