Michael Lewis Brown, Sr. “Mickey” of Palm Harbor, Florida entered his eternal home on May 23, 2023 after a brief illness. Mickey was born in the small town of Grove Hill, Alabama and grew up in nearby Jackson, Alabama, along the Tombigbee River.

After high school, Mickey worked for Brown’s Home Center, which was founded by his grandparents. He later started ML Brown Construction in Alabama.

Mickey attended the University of South Alabama, a national research university, but his heart was with the Crimson Tide of the University of Alabama. “Roll Tide” was a familiar refrain on every Saturday during football season.

He joined the United States Navy in 1986 and proudly served his Country in both the Gulf War and in Operation Desert Storm. He attended the “Top Gun” aircraft maintenance school in San Diego, California and he was an aviation mechanic on Sikorsky Seahawk helicopters and C-130 Hercules cargo planes. Mickey served on the flight decks of the USS Leyte Gulf, the USS Nicholas, and the Lexington Class aircraft carrier, the USS Saratoga.

Mickey had a wonderful sense of humor, loved to garden, and was a keen observer of nature. Most of all, he loved his family.

Mickey is survived by his wife of 32 years, Karen Stratas Brown; his mother, Doris Buendicho of Mobile, Alabama; a daughter, Kristen Brown Barco of Jackson, Alabama; 4 stepdaughters, Lisa Makrianes (Palm Harbor), Nancy Makrianes Rutter (Palm Harbor), Jamie Makrianes (Largo), and Maria Makrianes (Colorado); 7 grandchildren; 2 great grandchildren; and a sister, Patty Harris (Jackie) of Childerburg, Alabama. Mickey was predeceased by his son (Michael L. Brown, Jr.), his brother (Josh Edward Brown), and his father (Louie Brown of Jackson, Alabama).

Mickey will be missed by all those who knew him, served with him, and loved him.

There will be a memorial service on June 3, 2023 at noon at Dobies Funeral Home in Tarpon Springs, Florida (701 East Tarpon Avenue, Tarpon Springs, Florida 34689), followed by a private service in Jackson, Alabama.