Michael W. Brown, formerly of Green River, died 8 March 2020 in Sheridan, Wyoming. Mike was 68 years old at the time of his death.

He is survived by his widow, Mimi Sheppard Brown, of Sheridan, Wyoming, brothers Robert “Bruce” Brown of Vernal, Utah, Doug Brown of Carson City, Nevada and sister Enda Burroughs of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Mike was preceded in death by his brother Larry Brown, his father and his mother.

Mike was a historian who specialized in the history of the American west, with a special love for the history of Wyoming. He was a writer and lecturer, and sometime consultant for historical documentary movies. He will be widely remembered for his summer “Trail Tales” series of talks at Expedition Island in Green River many years ago, and his talks and writings on the history of the Oregon-Mormon trail, the Donner Party and the US Calvary in the post Civil War era. He wrote human-interest radio spots for stations in several western states, telling stories from western history.

Mike worked for the BLM and Forest Service in Utah, Wyoming, Nevada and Arizona at various times of his life, and was a frequent voice on radio with updates on wildfire fighting efforts. One of Mike’s proudest accomplishments was a project he arranged, a collaboration between the Boy Scouts of America and local volunteers, and the BLM, to replace old trail markers along the Oregon-Mormon trail in Wyoming, in 1996 and 1998. One may occasionally see some of the old concrete markers, given away on a first-come basis, gracing houses throughout Green River and Rock Springs, as a testament to this mammoth effort.

By his passing, Mike leaves an enormous hole in the lives of many people. He will be much missed.

“The road goes ever on and on, down from the door where it began. Now far away the road has gone, let others follow it who can! Let them a journey new begin, while I at last with weary feet, will turn toward the lighted inn, my evening meal and sleep to meet.”–J.R.R. Tolkien

Mike requested cremation. Notice of a memorial service may be announced at a future date.