11th Distinguished Under 40 Recipient announced

For the first time, the Distinguished Under 40 honoree group will be expanded to 11 recipients to include a very special individual.

Jesse Brown will be honored at the September 25 Luncheon and Award event along with the previously announced 10 honorees.

Jesse was diagnosed with osteosarcoma at the age of 10 which resulted in the loss of one of his legs. In recent years, tumors overtook his body.

He passed away on August 30, 2018 at the age of 21, but more importantly – Jesse lived.

Jesse Brown was a longtime Idaho Falls resident. He attended Hillcrest High School and Hanford High School in Richland. He graduated from Richland High School in Richland in 2015. Jesse also attended New Mexico Junior College.

Jesse loved to travel and experience new places. He always worked hard at everything he had the opportunity to do and held various positions. One of the jobs he enjoyed most was working at Papa Tom’s in Idaho Falls.

Jesse’s smile, strength, perseverance and kind soul will never be forgotten among the thousands of lives he touched.

In his short time, he has had an unforgettable impact and been a true inspiration to so many
people. Jesse’s sister, Teena Castaneda, writes:

“Jesse lived 21 short years to the absolute fullest. At age 10, Jesse was diagnosed with osteosarcoma in his right leg. After a half dozen surgeries, he eventually lost his leg from the knee down. Within just a couple of months after his amputation, wound not healed and no prosthetic, 10-year-old Jesse attended Camp Magical Moments where Jesse excelled at rock climbing, diving and kickball… He wholeheartedly did it all. He never complained. He never quit. Whatever Jesse faced in life he always continued to have his strength tested and mental endurance challenged. Yet continuously overcame and loved with all his heart. His pets, family and friends, even complete strangers always had a warm hug waiting, a silly joke or just his big beautiful smile to brighten your day. He was the example people wanted to follow and became the great inspiration he had always strived to be.”

Distinguished Under 40 is an annual awards program exclusive to the Eastern Idaho area that honors 10 young professionals who have gone above and beyond to accomplish great things in their careers, community, and education.