We are heartbroken to announce that Micheal Dennis Brown left this world on December 28, 2022. After fighting pulmonary fibrosis for two years he passed peacefully surrounded by his wife, children, and brother. Mike was born on November 3, 1948 in Perryton, TX. Later the family moved to Vega, TX where Mike attended high school.
Early on, Mike was an industrious little boy who loved the art of making money. Once, when his mom came home from visiting a neighbor, she found little Mike on the front porch holding an impromptu garage sale, selling the family dishes and other household goods! As a youngster, Mike mowed lawns, sold "Grit" newspapers, and sold donuts door to door. Even as a small child, Mike was irresistible to his customers.
As he got older, he cleaned swimming pools, raised hogs, and mowed more lawns to make money. He saved all his coins, which eventually caused the shelf in the closet to collapse! Mike earned enough in coins to purchase the first riding lawn mower in Perryton, Texas!
During his high school years, Mike was quite the athlete. Known as "The Mauler" to his fellow teammates, he never disappointed as a 4-year letterman, Senior Halfback First Team All-District Defense. During the off season, Mike excelled in water sports, becoming an excellent swimmer and showing off his skills on the slalom, once even featured on a magazine cover.
Mike's love of sports was passed on to his two children, Lance and Kim. As a young single father, Mike coached his two children in softball, baseball, basketball, and football. He made sure Kim was involved with the arts enrolling her in tap, dance, and ballet. As the only father at pageants they were given their own changing room. He took charge of having her costumes made for cheerleading and dance. Kim was a daddy's girl and accompanied Mike everywhere, even to work at the railroads whenever she could, learning to take naps on chairs which they put together. Mike was a devoted father who loved raising two children and guiding them both into adulthood. Mike was very proud of his children and all they have accomplished with their lives.
After high school, Mike held various jobs and eventually went to work for the railroad where he worked for 10 years. Mike then developed an interest in the oil industry, which he excelled at for the next 10 years. He loved this line of work, but the oil bust of the 80's put an end to this chapter of Mike's life. While deciding his next venture, his daughter Kim insisted on taking him out to eat with a friend that was also going through a tough time. That evening, he met the love of his life, Donna, beginning a 30-year journey of so much love, fun, work, and lots of laughter.
Needing gainful employment, Mike went to work for West Way Ford in Irving where he quickly became their number one salesman on the leaderboard. Mike had an uncanny ability to sell anything! Not really liking to work for the man, Mike was offered an opportunity in the tire business from a long time acquaintance. Mike knew nothing about tires, but was quick to learn and was a great salesman. Wasn't long before Mike convinced Donna to become a partner and together they worked side by side for the next 17 years before retiring from the tire business. He enjoyed meeting people and made countless friends throughout the years and through his everyday life encounters, he inspired people "To be all they could be" and encouraged them to work hard and to succeed.
Mike stayed busy in retirement. They purchased a small farm close to the Red River where Mike enjoyed hunting deer, turkey, and hogs, and having friends out to play a good game of 42. Of course, it was convenient to have them pick up a case of beer on their way out to the farm!
Mike loved to travel and visited many places, but felt most at home in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico where he made many lasting friendships through the years. He also loved cruises and once went on a three week cruise of the Mediterranean where they visited the Amalfi Coast, the Pyramids, the Vatican, and the coliseums to name a few. Mike also witnessed the formation of the 8th Hawaiian Island, which is still being formed by an underwater volcano, while he cruised around the other 7 islands.
Mike loved his mother-in-law, Celie, and always made sure she traveled along, knowing she would pack a set of dominoes for the 42 games. Mike loved fishing, which included deep-sea fishing with his brother-in-laws, Terry and Dave, in Puerto Vallarta.
Mike was a wonderful husband and dad who worked hard and enjoyed spending time with family and friends. He made friends everywhere he went, and no matter where he went, he would meet someone that knew him. He also loved playing games and was a good 42 player. Mike made his mark on Las Vegas, WinStar, and Lone Star Park where he loved to watch the ponies run. Just as in life, he always came out a winner.
Mike touched a lot of lives and the world was a better place just for having him in it.
Mike was preceded in death by his parents, Matthew Luke Brown and Betty Arlene (Ravell) Brown; and his brothers: Gary Lynn Brown and Darrell Lee Brown.
He is survived by his wife, Donna Wagner; brother: Ronald Matthew Brown; son: Micheal Lance Brown and wife, Kerri; daughter, Kimberly Michelle (Brown) Pothorst; step-sons: James Andrew Wagner and wife, Lori, and Christopher Lee Wagner and wife, Michelle; his grandchildren: Micheal Laine Brown, Kara Wade Brown, Samantha Gail McCowan, Jacob Matthew Doty, and Shane Allen Holloway; step-grandchildren: Christopher Ryan Wagner and Samantha Marie Wagner, Britney Kaitlynn Gustin, Robert Garrett Gustin, and James Andrew Wagner, Jr; great grandchildren: Caiden and Makenzie Doty; step-great grandchildren: Calum Lee Wagner, Carter Ray Gustin, and Kendrick Isaiah Jean Gustin; nephews: Shawn Christian Brown, Darren Brown, and Matt Brown; nieces: Velvet Emily (Brown) Vicknair and Ramona Engquist; sister-in-law, Mary Brown; honorary loved close of Mike, Kim, and Lance: Michelle Lewis, and husband, Bobby Lewis; and their children: Riley and Emily; as well as other extended family and friends.
A memorial service for Mike will be held Saturday, January 14, 2023 from 11:00am at Shannon Rufe Snow Drive Funeral Chapel, 6001 Rufe Snow Drive, Fort Worth, TX 76148.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.shannonrufesnow.com for the Brown family.
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