Michael "Mike" Brubaker

Mike Brubaker, 80, passed away on November 30, 2019. He was born on May 10, 1939 to Gerald Wayne Brubaker and Emily Jeanne Armstrong in Tacoma, Washington.
Mike joined the United States Navy in 1957 and served honorably for over twenty years. He rose to the rank of Signalman First Class and spent most of his Naval career aboard numerous ships in both the Pacific and Atlantic Fleets. He was awarded the Navy Unit Citation, Good Conduct Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal and the National Defense Service Medal. It was in the Navy where Mike obtained training as an Alcohol Treatment Specialist and an Advanced Drug Counselor.
Mike’s last assignment with the Navy was at the prestigious, first, Naval Alcohol Rehabilitation Inpatient Service at the Navy Hospital Long Beach, California and served as a senior counselor until his retirement in 1977.
While in the Navy, Mike became an avid golfer. There were several of his shipmates that normally had tee times at the Naval Air Station, Los Alamitos, California. Like all new beginning golfers, Mike couldn’t play a lick of golf, but he learned fast. He wanted to play golf with three of his Navy buddies. At that time Fleet Sailors could get the earliest tee times and Mike was attached to one of the ships in the Long Beach Harbor. So, his golfing buddies told him if he wanted to play with them, he would have to get them an early tee time on both Saturday and Sunday. Mike would show up in the dark on those days and get the early tee times. His golfing partners took advantage of his beginners play and would take his money each weekend with $3 or $4 dollars being lost each time by Mike. But it was not for long, all the sudden Mike became the golfer that was taking the other three’s money and continued to do so for many years to come.
After Mike retired from the Navy, he continued to work in the field of chemical dependency as well as gambling addiction treatment and was instrumental in helping many men and women find full recovery from the devastating disease of alcoholism, drug addiction and gambling addiction. He is the author of the book, to help gamblers recover from gambling addiction, titled "Deadly Odds". The walls in his office reflect his love of his time in the Navy with pictures of Mike shaking hands with President Carter and another picture shows President Jerry Ford and his wife Betty with a handwritten note to Mike.
After retirement, Mike and a close friend decided they were going to take two or three weeks off, depending what it took, and play all the golf courses from Long Beach to Pebble Beach in Monterey. Great idea but it went awry. They decided to start in Las Vegas as they were leaving Long Beach, California. They made a tee time at Louie Prema’s Fairway to the Stars. After finishing their round of golf, they could not get back across the mountains due to heavy snow. They decided to drive north in Nevada and cross the mountains at Donor Pass, they did get to play Pebble Beach and afterwards headed back to Long Beach. He continued his love of playing golf until his passing and has requested some of his ashes be spread at Pebble Beach where many suggested they are spread in the sand trap as it is rumored, he spent a fair amount of time there…
Mike was the Senior or Lead Counselor at San Pedro Peninsula Hospital Inpatient and Outpatient Treatment in San Pedro, California, then later joined the staff of Monterey Peninsula Hospital and Clint Eastwood Youth Chemical Dependence Treatment Program, in Monterey, California.
After leaving Monterey, Mike moved to Arizona and was hired as the Program Director of a new, but struggling Outpatient Treatment Program in Casa Grande, Arizona. Within a couple of years Mike bought, changed the name, and owned the now very successful Outpatient Treatment Program as a Licensed Independent Substance Abuse Counselor and Certified National Gambling Counselor and remained as the owner of Michael C. Brubaker Counseling until his passing.
Mike enjoyed traveling with Michelle and checked many countries they saw together from their bucket list to include the Italian Alps, Austria, New Zealand, Los Cabos, France, Italy, Spain, Greece, Panama, and Turkey among others including Hawaii. Staying at a Bed and Breakfast was the highlight of many trips taken with Michelle and often included staying near historical landmarks. He enjoyed golf, cards, coin collecting, reading and was an avid sports fan of any and all sports. Mike’s love of ice cream was shared with his beloved Yorkie, "Princess", and they often growled at each other as to who got the last bite. Princess will miss her daily rides in the car with Mike and accompanying him to the office. It was often the highlight of both of their days.
Mike has left a big foot print in this world. He has always been available and willing to share his experience, strength and hope to anyone who asked. Like most everyone, Mike had an occasional critic. When asked about this he replied, "I don’t concern myself with the people that don’t like me, instead I cherish the people that love me." Mike will be remembered for his love for others, his rigorous honesty, the hope he gave others, and his willingness to be available to all who needed him. Those of us that knew him have been blessed and are better persons as a result. You are loved by Jesus Mike and by more people than any of us can count. We will all see you on the first tee in Heaven………
Mike is survived his loving wife: Michelle M. Brubaker; his children: Patrick Brubaker of Las Vegas, Nevada and Emily Harris of Seattle, Washington; his siblings: Mills Brubaker of Puyallup, Washington, David Brubaker of Olympia, Washington and Russell Brubaker of Freeland, Washington; three grandchildren: Kaitlyn Elise Brubaker, Hailey Lynn Brubaker, Samuel Michael Harris, as well as numerous friends and colleagues.
He is preceded in death by his parents.
A Celebration of Mike’s Life will be held at 2pm on Saturday December 14, 2019 at Gardens Chapel at J. Warren Funeral Services. 525 N. Peart Rd, Casa Grande, AZ 85122. Their number is 520-836-8041. Their website is www.jwarrenfuneral.com .
Immediately following all are welcome to join Mike’s family at Robson Ranch for a reception to gather for hors d’oeuvres and cake while sharing their favorite memories of Mike as well an opportunity to share their love of a man who touched the lives of all he encountered. The Robson Ranch, Laredo Room is located 5750 N. Robson Blvd., Eloy, AZ 85131. Their number is 520-426-3390.