Michael Paul Brown

Michael "Mike" Paul Brown, 78, of DeRidder, LA, passed away Sunday, December 28, 2025. Visitation will be Wednesday, December 31, 2025 from 11am-1pm at Chaddick Funeral Home. Funeral service will be Wednesday, December 31, 2025, at 1pm at Chaddick Funeral Home. Interment will be at Hopewell Cemetery. Rev. Nelson Santa Anna and Rev. Steve Thomas will officiate.

Michael is survived by his wife of 57 years, Ruby Brown o DeRidder, LA; children, Mark Brown & Melinda of Moss Bluff, LA and Lisa Rabalais & Mark of Huffman, TX; four grandchildren, Grayson Rabalais of Huffman, TX, Madeline Brown of Denton, TX, Caroline Rabalais of Huffman, TX, and Charles Bender, III of Hickory Creek, TX; and brother, Roy Brown & Susan of Lafayette, LA.

He is preceded in death by his parents, E.M. "Sonny" & Gwyn Brown; grandson, Thomas Rabalais; and sister, Julia Carol.

Michael Brown lived his life loving and serving God, his family and others. He was a follower of Jesus and is now in heaven and completely whole and healed, no longer suffering. He lived his life with his wife, Ruby, of 57 years who stood by his side, loving and caring for him in sickness and in health.

Michael was a proud veteran of the U.S. Navy. He served in Vietnam in Danang, where he was a radio operator at the ship landing. He was honored to serve and often sought out other veterans to encourage and share stories with.

After his time in the Navy, Michael returned to Louisiana to raise his family. Michael worked for Ft. Polk for 33 years and retired with the Commander’s award for Civilian Service. He began as an engineering draftsman. He served with distinction and quickly rose through the ranks as an electrician and an Engineering Technician. His experience, expertise, enthusiasm and dedication quickly established him as leader within the organization. Throughout his career, he exhibited solid moral and professional ethics that set the example for all.

If you know Mike, you know he was a man of integrity. He had a strong work ethic, whether it was serving in various roles at church, helping his family or on the job at Fort Polk. Mike strived for excellence and encouraged others to do the same. Even when pushed to compromise, he would not waver from his belief in working hard and doing the right thing. He did nothing in the church, at his job or in the community for accolades or recognition. He lived a life of integrity because it was the right thing to do. He was a great example of Matthew 6:19 -21. “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, buy lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. “

Mike loved his family well. He was fiercely protective of them all and offered constant support. He passed on all of his experience and knowledge of electrical work, car repair and maintenance, home building and inspections to his kids and friends. He taught his kids all he knew about hard work, doing everything with excellence and being prepared. He loved to hunt and fish and enjoyed these activities with many family members and friends as well. From taking his family to the woods to camp and hunt to keeping them on the lake fishing and water skiing.

When grandchildren came along, he shared his love of hunting and fishing with them as well. He also supported them in their own interests, traveling through Louisiana and Texas to ball games, plays, dance recitals and more.

Mike’s grandchildren know him as Pappy. They think he was pretty special. They all echo these words:

Pappy was strong headed but tender hearted. Though he often came across as composed and reserved, he had a goofy and gentle side that we had the honor and privilege of seeing often. Pappy loved deep and loved well. His life was evidently marked by the breastplate of righteousness and the sword of the spirit. We loved getting to hear all of his stories about trips he has been on and his times at the gun range and his time serving in the Navy in Vietnam. We all loved spending time with him on our many trips fishing at the catfish pond and in his loading room learning to reload bullets. Knowing and being loved by Pappy is a blessing we will forever be grateful for.

Lamentations 3:21-24

“But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”