Michael Edward Brown

Early morning on Wednesday, June 30th, 2021, Coach Mike Papa Brown passed away peacefully at his daughter's home after a long, tough battle with MSA.  This incredible man's love for his family was ever present in his continued efforts to fight every single day.  Papa had just turned 75.

Mike was married to Carol, the love of his life for almost 53 years.  After meeting at 14 years old, Mike and Carol married on August 10th, 1968 and raised three kids.  Coach Papa is survived by his wife, Carol; daughter Shawn and grandchildren Maddie, Dani and EJ; son Greg, his wife Heather and grandchildren Kennedy, Hudson and Houston; and son Danny, his wife Camille and grandchildren Chloe and Isaiah.  Mike is also survived by his brothers Kevin and his wife Sue, Marty and his wife Lisa and his sister Joany.  Mike was preceded in death by his parents, Jack and Molly and his sister Kathy.

Mike was born in Amarillo, Texas on May 28th, 1946 to Jack and Molly Brown.  After the birth of his sister, Kathy, the family moved to Albuquerque.  Mike attended Our Lady of Fatima, Holy Ghost and St. Pius High School.  He graduated from UNM in 1969 with a degree in Political Science and the intention of going to law school.  However, Mike began teaching PE and coaching baseball, track and basketball at St. Francis, "tipping off" his 52-year coaching career.  Mike earned his Master's Degree in English in 1971 while teaching PE and coaching at Holy Ghost.  After teaching English and coaching basketball at Bernalillo Junior High, Mike was called to interview for the assistant basketball coach to Lou Baudoin at the Albuquerque Academy in 1974 where he also proceeded to teach 7th/8th grade English and coach baseball.

As an English teacher, Mr. Brown commanded his student's attention with his various antics in the classroom.  He was passionate about all kinds of literature, Greek Mythology and the history of New Mexico.  He took many of his classes on a field trip he affectionately called the "Turquoise Trail".  He challenged his own kids at the dinner table throwing around unusual vocabulary words and he continuously entertained the family with his own poetry.  Mr. Brown was an inspiration as a teacher and influenced countless others to follow his lead and become educators.

After 8 years as the assistant basketball coach at the Academy, Mike was offered the head coaching position where he proceeded to lead the Chargers to 6 straight State Championship games and 14 District Championships (1984-2010).  Upon retirement, Coach Papa continued coaching as son Danny Brown's assistant at Highland High School for 6 years (2011-2016) before winding up his coaching career at Volcano Vista with son Greg Brown from 2017 to 2021. Aside from leading the Chargers to an astounding 442 victories over a 26-year period, Coach Brown's many other accomplishments include city, state and national recognition, as well as several coaching awards.  In 2018, Mike was inducted into the New Mexico Sports Hall of Fame.  Coach Mike Brown is a basketball legend in the state of New Mexico.  His dedication to family, friends, students, players and the entire basketball community is only to be rivaled by his loyalty, honesty and hard work ethic.

While this is an indescribable loss, the family is finding peace in knowing that Papa's suffering is over.  His strength, courage, dignity and humility should be an inspiration to everyone.

A Rosary and reception will be held on Thursday, July 22, 2021, 5:30 p.m. at FRENCH - Lomas.  A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Friday, July 23, 2021, 11:00 a.m. at Our Lady of Assumption Catholic Church, Lomas and Tennessee.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to the Coach Mike Papa Brown MSA Scholarship Fund for college bound high school student athletes.  For more information, please reach out to Shawn at ffinsker@gmail.com.