Michael Dennis Brown

With deep love and heavy hearts, we announce the passing of Michael Dennis Brown, age 74.Michael left us peacefully at home on Friday, November 14 surrounded by the family he adored. He was a devoted husband, cherished father, and oh so proud grandfather. Michael was born on May 18, 1951 in Detroit, Michigan. He was the sixth child of Robert and Margaret Brown and attended St. James High School in Ferndale where he graduated in 1970. No matter where he roamed, his love for his native state never wavered, and he remained a true “Michigander.” He was a life-long, loyal, ardent Detroit sports fan and his greatest joy was watching the Red Wings. He loved returning to Michigan to visit family and friends and spent many happy times at his brother’s orchard. Michael moved to Germany in 1974 and spent the next few years working and traveling the world. He met his wife, Shelah, in Garmish-Partenkirchen in 1976. They were married in Glasgow, Scotland in 1978 and shortly thereafter settled in Lake Tahoe where they shared beautiful decades of partnership, laughter, adventure, and delight with their small family. A dedicated father to Molly and Daniel, Michael was always their steady guide offering wisdom, encouragement, and unconditional love that shaped their lives. As a grandfather, he embraced a newfound joy in Fiona. He took great pleasure and delight in her accomplishments, attending her games, watching her grow and become the best “wee wee” ever. They loved eating ice cream, playing in the snow, being in nature, telling silly jokes, and sharing the simple moments that brought them so close. Michael spent his career as a talented cabinet-maker where he was respected for his work ethic, creativity, mad measuring skills, and blasting his favorite music while he worked. He was an avid reader and loved to camp, ski, and golf. His love for golf grew after he retired in 2016. He and Shelah spent happy years as part of the early morning group at the Incline Village Mountain Course where they made many special friends. Michael fell in love with Ireland where he and Shelah spent the last few summers working on the family cottage in Donegal. Some of his happiest days were spent there remodeling that house. Michael will be remembered most for his gentle spirit, his steadfast loyalty, his kindness, his humor, his storytelling, and the way he made everyone feel valued and loved. His legacy lives on in the lives he touched and the memories (and woodwork) he leaves behind. He is survived by his loving wife, Shelah, his children, Molly (Kevin) and Daniel (Shelby); his granddaughter, Fiona; his brothers, Terry (Dee), Dan, Kevin (Mary), and his sister, Patricia (Eric); and his many nieces and nephews. Michael is preceded in death by his parents, Robert and Margaret; and brothers, Robert and Richard. Though we grieve his loss so much, we are grateful for the years we shared and the love he gave so freely. He will be dearly missed and will live forever in our hearts. A wake/celebration of his life will be held on Saturday, November 29 at his favorite place–his home: 565 Matchless Court, Incline Village, NV 89451 from 1:00–3:00PM. 'Tis a fearful thing to love what death can touch. A fearful thing to love, to hope, to dream, to be- to be, And oh, to lose. A thing for fools, this, And a holy thing, a holy thing to love. For your life has lived in me, your laugh once lifted me, your word was gift to me. To remember this brings painful joy. 'Tis a human thing, love, a holy thing, to love what death has touched." Judah Halevi

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Michael Dennis Brown

May 18, 1951 - November 14, 2025