Lawrence Michael Brubaker

Dr. Lawrence Michael “Mike” Brubaker passed away peacefully at his home on Monday, May 5, 2025, surrounded by his loving family. A memorial service to celebrate his life will be held on Friday, May 23, 2025, 2PM at Lucas Funeral Home in Keller, Texas.

Born on September 3, 1944, in Enterprise, Oregon, Mike was lovingly raised by his mother, Ruth, and his father, Dr. Richard E. Brubaker. He pursued his education with unwavering vigor, graduating from the University of Albuquerque on May 30, 1968. In 1973, he achieved a significant milestone by earning his medical degree from the Universidad Autónoma de Guadalajara. Dr. Brubaker's comprehensive medical training continued with an internship at Regina General Hospital in Saskatchewan, Canada. This was followed by a residency with The Medical Group of Glen Cove in New York, and he completed his specialization with a residency in Family Practice at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas.

A distinguished and compassionate physician, Dr. Brubaker dedicated many years to the health and well-being of his patients. He was board certified by the American Board of Family Practice and was a proud member of the American Academy of Family Physicians. He also spent the last part of his career in the field of occupational medicine, culminating in his role as Medical Director for Alcoa Aluminum.

In November 1990, Dr. Brubaker answered the call to active duty from the U.S. Army Reserves, serving with honor and distinction during Operation Desert Storm. It was during this time his lifelong passion for engines, combined with his medical expertise, led to a remarkable contribution. U.S. Army trucks were experiencing significant issues running on the local diesel fuel. Drawing from his personal experience with diesel vehicles, Mike astutely identified a solution: adding a small amount of automatic transmission fluid to the fuel, which greatly improved the trucks' performance. This ingenious fix proved so vital to the operational success of the mission that he was awarded the Bronze Star – a rare and distinguished honor for a medical professional, underscoring the profound impact of his resourcefulness. He was honorably discharged in 1996, having attained the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. His dedicated service to his country was further recognized with numerous other prestigious military honors, including the Army Commendation Medal, the Southwest Asia Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Armed Forces Reserve Medal, and the Liberation Medals of Saudi Arabia and Kuwait, among many others.

Beyond his professional and military accomplishments, Mike had a lifelong passion for automobiles. From his youth, he was deeply involved with cars, dedicating countless hours to working on them, building them, and even racing them. He was an avid Formula 1 enthusiast and took immense pride in the remarkable cars he owned throughout his life, including his cherished Porsche 911 and 928, Maseratis, and Corvettes. He held a particular fondness for the 1932 Ford Roadster, a testament to his love for classic American muscle. This love for cars was a joy he eagerly shared with his family, creating treasured memories by taking his children and grandchildren to unique racing experiences. They fondly recall the excitement of the Indy 500, the thrill of local F1 races, and the raw power of numerous drag racing events. The distinct smells, the roaring sounds, and the visceral energy of these outings became cherished experiences that his family continues to hold dear.

Dr. Brubaker’s enduring legacy of love, strength, and dedication continues through his beloved family. He is survived by his devoted wife of 63 years, and true love of his life, Charlotte Brubaker; his cherished children: Lawrence Michael “Larry” Brubaker II (Stephanie Brubaker), Athena Brubaker Schmidt (Gregory Schmidt), and Danae Brubaker (Shane Cross). He was an adored grandfather to Lindsay Norman, Katie Cross, Sophia Schmidt, Lawrence Michael “Mick” Brubaker III, Ciara Brubaker, and Hannah Brubaker.

He was preceded in death by his sister, Kathy Ray, his aunt, Opal Pruitt, and other extended family members.

Dr. Mike Brubaker lived a life marked by profound compassion, dedicated service to his community and nation, and an unwavering commitment to his family and the medical profession. His warmth, wisdom, kindness, and enthusiasm for life will be deeply missed and forever remembered by all who had the honor of knowing him.