Michael James Brown

Walla Walla resident Michael (Mike) James Brown passed away at home with his family at his bedside on May 30, 2014. Mike was born Jan. 29, 1927, in Hensel, N.D., to Michael Brown and Matilda Kelso.

In December 1945, Mike enlisted in the U.S. Army and served as a technician fifth grade teletype operator in the 3113th Signal Service Battalion. He later was awarded the World War II Victory Medal upon leaving the Army with an honorable discharge. Mike married Rose Derry in Regina Saskatchewan, Canada, Oct. 23, 1954. They lived and farmed at the Brown family farm in Hensel until moving to Walla Walla in 1956.

Mike was employed as a truck driver at Consolidated Freightways and Garrett Freightlines. After retirement, he worked at Louisiana Pacific and L & G Ranch Supply, and enjoyed farm field work for local wheat farmers in the Walla Walla Valley, driving a school bus, fishing with his children, attending family reunions in Hensel, and giving nicknames to his grandchildren.

Mike also volunteered at St. Vincent de Paul, Christian Aid Center, and was devotedly active in the Assumption Catholic Church, Walla Walla Catholic Schools, and with the Knights of Columbus for many years. Mike has touched many lives with his friendship, wit and humor and will be missed greatly by his family, friends and friends of friends.

Mike was preceded in death by his parents, Michael and Matilda; older sister, Nellie Halldorson and husband, Richard of Cavalier, N.D. Mike is survived by his siblings, Vincent of Richmond, Calif., Mary Alice (Stuart) of Brea, Calif., Toni (Briske) of Anchorage, Alaska, Jack of Goodyear, Ariz., and Thomas of Sartell, Minn.; his wife, Rose; children, David, Steven, Paulette (Hansen), Daniel, Cynthia (Huesby), and Patrick; 14 grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, and nephews.

The Rosary will be held Tuesday, June 10, 2014, at 6 p.m. at Herring Groseclose Funeral Home, 315 West Alder, Walla Walla. The funeral mass will be Wednesday, June 11, 2014, at 10 a.m. at the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Catholic Church, 2098 E. Alder St., Walla Walla. Burial will be immediately after at Blue Mountain Memorial Gardens, 300 Southeast Myra Road, College Place.