Mike Brown

James Michael ‘Mike’ Brown, 77, who lived most of his life in Vinita, Oklahoma, passed away in the early hours of Wednesday, August 16, at Heartsworth Nursing Home in Vinita. Mike pushed shopping carts for the Vinita Walmart for over 20 years. He was a reliable employee who took his job very seriously. After his retirement from Walmart, Mike kept busy by working on the cleanup crew at Home of Hope. Mike loved rodeo. He rode in the Will Rogers Memorial Rodeo parade a few times and attended the parade every year for decades. For many years, Mike, his best friend, Tom Price, and Mary Sue Price, Tom’s sister and Mike’s advocate, attended every single performance of the rodeo. Mike particularly enjoyed the Grand Entry, the bucking horses, barrel racing, and watching the roping horses work. Mike enjoyed meeting the rodeo clowns, as well. Mike competed in several Special Olympics rodeos and excelled in pole bending. Mike loved to ride and help take care of horses. Mike was a proud Eagle Scout and a member of the Cherokee nation. Mike also loved shopping, cars, candy, onion rings, fairs, fried fish, and peppermint milkshakes. Mike had many friends in Vinita. He loved to go to the movies and travel with his friends. Mike was born in Kansas City, Missouri, on July 25, 1946. He moved to Vinita soon after with his parents, Carol ‘Jane’ and Earl Brown, both deceased. He attended Sacred Heart School in Vinita as a child and also attended school in Miami, Oklahoma. Growing up, Mike spent a lot of time with his grandparents who lived in the Timber Hills area. Mike is survived by many friends in Vinita including Steve Burdick, his house mate for decades, his best friend, Tom Price, many staff workers at Home of Hope, and his sister Eva Elaine McLaughlin, New Mexico. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Equestrian Program at Home of Hope, Vinita, Oklahoma. Luginbuel Funeral Home in Vinita is handling the arrangements. Visitation will be from 5-7 PM on Monday, August 21, at the Funeral Home and Mike’s funeral will be at 2 PM on Tuesday, August 22, also at the Luginbuel Funeral Home, with a reception to follow.