We just found out that our beloved friend and Massey tractor collector John Brown of Howell, Michigan has passed. John was always the life of the party when he would arrive at the shows with his very well used pick-up truck and homemade trailer carrying his favorite Massey Harris 101 tractor.
It was a “must hear” story about his adventure getting to each show. In most cases, it was trying to determine where he should have turned left instead of right!
You could always find John not far from the gathering area of people, sitting in his folding sling chair sipping on his half gallon thermos jug of iced tea. He always had a tin of homemade cookies and shared them with everyone. John, unfortunately, had not been able to attend shows in the past several years but many of us have stayed in touch with him. He was definitely one of those unique individuals you would never forget if you ever met him!!
John’s obituary is listed below:
JOHN W. BROWN
BROWN, JOHN WILLIAM Age 81, lifetime Howell area resident, passed away Tuesday, December 9, 2014. He was born June 12, 1933 in Howell, son of Forrest J. and Ethel (Carlson) Brown. He was a 1951 graduate of Howell High School, a life member of Ann Arbor Moose Lodge #1253. During his employment at St. Joseph Mercy Hospital, he was known as "Mr. Fix it". He is survived by his daughter, Hope (Sam Grissom) Berry of Howell; two grandsons, five great-grandchildren and brother, Robert Brown of Mundelein, IL. He was preceded in death by his brother, Richard. Services will be held at a later date.