Michael Joseph Brown came into this world on August 30, 1957 in Montebello, California, and departed on February 3, 2022 in Eureka. The third of six children born to James Oscar Brown and Isabel Caroline Campbell, Michael and his siblings spent the majority of their childhood in Pico Rivera with extended family as neighbors. Michael shared a particularly close bond with his grandpa, Joe Campbell. Michael attended Rio Vista Elementary, and graduated from Meller Junior High in 1972. Michael completed two years of vocational welding at El Rancho High School, and though he never graduated, he was able to put those trade skills to use to provide for his family over the coming decades.

Michael met and married his first wife, Linda, when the two were still kids themselves. They welcomed their daughter Michelle in November, 1974, and divorced soon thereafter. In April 1980, Michael married Susan Mary Hagler, and their daughter Sarah was born the following month. The family relocated to Hollister and were blessed with two more children: Brenda in 1983, and Edward in 1988.

As a young father, Michael struggled with his mental health and unresolved childhood trauma, which carried over into how he parented his own children. Still, he created positive memories with his children: spending weekend days at the beach in Monterey and Santa Cruz, and taking road trips to visit extended family, both in Northern and Southern California. With Michael’s diagnosis and eventual management of bipolar disorder in 1997, he was able to be more present as a father, to his youngest two children in particular.

In 1999, the Brown family relocated to Oroville. After 23 years of marriage, Michael and Susan divorced in 2003. After the divorce, Michael had a long-term girlfriend, Linda, with whom he remained friends until his final days. In 2005, he met his final love, Rebecca. The two were married in August 2006, and Michael embraced her family as his own. He created cherished memories with Rebecca’s three children, Katie, Josh, and Ethan. The two divorced in 2014, however their love did not end.

Michael had a great appreciation for music, and regularly shared songs and lyrics that were meaningful to him with those he loved. He loved fishing from an early age, and was an avid gardener. Michael was always mechanically inclined, and had an affinity for Volkswagen vehicles; he owned his first Beetle as a teen, which he later restored and gifted to his eldest daughter. He owned and drove almost exclusively VWs throughout his life. In 1990, while working on a Karmann Ghia restoration project, Michael came across an issue with finding replacement parts for the battery pan and front grille vents. Ever the innovator, Michael designed a process to fulfill the need. He went on to manufacture and sell numerous sets to other VW enthusiasts through 1996, primarily via Karmann Ghia Parts and Restoration in Moorpark, California.

Michael’s innovative nature was not limited to his work on VWs; he was a “do-it-yourself” guy by nature, and completed virtually all of his own home repairs, often single-handedly.

In the later years of his life, he could often be found assisting his brother, Joe, or one of his adult children in home improvement projects of their own. Michael was always there to help, and never seemed to find a problem that couldn’t be solved. A man of strong Christian faith, Michael lived by the directive to “love thy neighbor.” After relocating to Fortuna in November 2020, Michael could often be found helping one of his neighbors in the Royal Crest Senior Park, when he wasn’t out walking his little dog, Max.

Michael loved all his children and grandchildren, and was a very proud Grandpa Mike of seven amazing kids. Like his Grandpa Joe had with him, Michael shared a special bond with his grandson Solomon. Grandpa Mike and Solomon were kindred spirits from their first moment together. The two shared many adventures, laughs, snuggles, and butterfly kisses. Michael was known by those close to him for having deep faith, optimism, and a joyful contagious laugh that filled the room. These memories are gifts that will be treasured forever.

Michael was preceded in death by his grandparents, aunts, uncles, parents, brother Jim, and younger sister Lori. He is survived by his siblings: Dorothy, Kenneth and Steven; best friend and brother: Joseph Hagler; Joe and Lori’s children and grandchildren: Emily, her children Logan, Rowan, and Gemma; Brian, and Panda; three women who loved him dearly: Susan, Linda, and Rebecca; his children and grandchildren: Michelle Brown and her daughter Isabella Del Alcazar; Sarah Sullens, her husband Adam and children Miles and Lorelai; Brenda Lory, her husband Joshua and children Prudence and Solomon; and Edward Brown, his wife Hannah and daughters Ursula and Ylva.

We extend our deep gratitude to Goble’s Fortuna Mortuary for their compassionate and professional service. A celebration of life for Michael will be held at Rohner Park in Fortuna on May 29, 2022 at 1 p.m. Those who knew and loved him are encouraged to share photos and stories on his memorial website: https://www.forevermissed.com/michael-joseph-brown

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