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John Brown, Howell Michigan Passes


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.

RE:John Brown, Howell Michigan Passes


The first time I talked to John was when he called about one of the cast iron center grille pieces that I have for 101 tractors. I was out of them at the time and told him I would call when I got a new supply. When I got them I called to get his address to mail him one but I was told that he needed something to do and he would come and pick it up. About a three hour drive, he got here around noon. He was here about 30 minutes we talked and I showed him around and he headed back to Michigan. Later that summer I saw him at a show, can't remember where, he came up and said "Come look at my grille piece, I've got it on. We were good friends from then on.

In the spring of 2012 I went to a Minneapolis-Moline meeting with a friend. We were in New Port, Michigan and in driving distance of Howell. Since I hadn't seen or heard from John at any shows the past season on Saturday morning we went to Howell and looked him up. I asked how he was doing and why we hadn't been to any  shows, he said "They took my drivers license away."  We had a good visit, he showed us his tractors and we took some pictures. The sad thing was that I could tell that he wasn't  thinking as clear as in the past.

Rest in peace John. You have a lot of friends.

PS: The Moline people I met that weekend were just like being around Massey people. A very good bunch.