Michael James Brown, 74, of Rockville, Maryland, passed away suddenly on January 24, 2026 at his home.
He was born on February 12, 1951, in Washington, Indiana to Robert J. and Wilma (Colvin) Brown. He devoted his professional life to the law and public service. He was a hard worker who treasured his family above all else.
Michael grew up in Loogootee, Indiana, where he attended St. John’s Grade School. For high school, he attended the Latin School, a Catholic Seminary in Evansville, Indiana. During college at Indiana University, he worked for three years at the U.S. Post Office in Bloomington, a job he enjoyed for providing him lots of exercise. After graduating from I.U., he earned his Juris Doctor degree from the University of Louisville School of Law. While attending law school, he worked for the Kentuckiana Regional Planning and Development Agency and as a law clerk. Afterward, he passed the bar exams of Indiana and Illinois, along with the Uniform CPA examination, and found work in Washington, D.C., where he also became a member of the bar.
In Washington, Michael worked at the U.S. Department of Commerce for over a decade. This position took him around the world, including multiple work trips to Europe and Asia. He moved on to the prominent firm, Dewey Ballantine, after being offered a position practicing international trade law. He continued in that area of practice until his retirement. Even then, he remained deeply engaged with legal scholarship and never stopped writing about proposed changes to the law. He also liked to keep his mind sharp by studying genetics, always maintaining his intellectual curiosity as a lifetime learner.
Beyond his professional accomplishments, Michael was deeply committed to staying active and hands-on. He exercised daily, often played basketball, and also enjoyed walking, tennis, pickleball, and swimming with his grandchildren. A skilled home improver, he took pride in building, plumbing, and electrical projects around the house. He was a devoted fan of Indiana University basketball and followed baseball faithfully—when the St. Louis Cardinals were playing.
Michael was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Robert Curtis “Curt” Brown.
He is survived by his daughter, Emily (Arben Klobuscista) Brown; his grandchildren, Caius and Trajan Klobucista; and his sister, Barbara (Bill) Boyd.
A funeral service will be held on Monday, February 9, 2025, at 11:00 A.M. at Blake Funeral Home in Loogootee, Indiana.
A visitation will be held from 9:00 A.M. until the time of service at Blake Funeral Home in Loogootee, Indiana. Blake Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Michael Brown.
