Mike Brittain passed away unexpectedly at his home in Kirbyville.

Long-time Taney County resident, Mike Brittain, passed away unexpectedly at his home in Kirbyville on Monday, February 19, 2024.

Michael Hurley Brittain was born on August 31, 1948 in Springfield, Missouri to Hurley & Blanche (Edwards) Brittain.  In 1966, he graduated from Branson High School and went on to further his studies at School of the Ozarks (now, College of the Ozarks) in Pt. Lookout.  Before he completed his studies at S of O, life took him to the U.S. Virgin Islands where he worked with a communications company and attended the University of St. Thomas.  As the Vietnam War was looming, Mike joined the United States Navy serving on the USS Kitty Hawk.  After his military service, he returned to Missouri to work on the Truman Dam and US Hwy 65 doing road construction.  He also met his sweetheart, Linda Schwyhart and they were married in Highlandville on September 2, 1972. 

Mike was an entrepreneur and involved in different ventures that revolved around his interests in forestry, horticulture, farming and horsemanship.  He and Linda operated Brittain Farms together from 1982 to 2004, growing and selling beautiful flowers along with landscaping products.  He operated an international cedar logging company and was integral in sales of wood fiber at Show Me Fiber with his son, Josh.  Mike also worked several years for Green Forest Wood products. He built a reputation of hard work, helping others and horse-trading when necessary.

Mike was integral in the Taney County community.  He held a great deal of historical knowledge about the area and its people and had collaborated with different authors on articles and books about the area.  More than that, he loved the people of this area and folks he met through his business.  He was a generous man, giving in the shadows without the need for acclaim or ever being one to boast.  He was compassionate, helpful, and giving.  He was an encourager and mentor to many and will be greatly missed by his friends, community and those blessed to have him in their lives.

His memory will be most treasured and live on in his family; children, Tom Brittain & wife Lori of Washburn, MO; Mia Elliott & husband Kevin of Asbury, MO; Josh Brittain & wife Chassidy of Kirbyville and Tracy Crews & husband Joel of St. Louis.  He was the best PaPa Mikey to his grandkids, Andrew Brittain & his wife Magen, Bethany Phillips & her husband Doug, Devin Elliott & his wife Josie, Logan Elliott, Parks Brittain, Hurley Brittain, Asa Brittain & Josie Brittain as well as being a dearly loved great-grandpa to 7 great-grandchildren, great-great grandpa to the newest addition, his great-great granddaughter and he was called Papa by many others.

Mike was preceded in death by his parents, Hurley & Blanche; his wife, Linda; daughter, Mary Elizabeth; grandson, Daulton Elliott; and his sister, Roxie Dixon.

A celebration of Mike’s life will be on Sunday, February 25, 2024 in Snapp-Bearden Funeral Home & Crematory, Branson.  Family and friends are welcome to a time of visitation beginning at 1:00 p.m. with memorial services to follow at 2:00 p.m. in the funeral home. Private burial will be at a later date in Brittain Cemetery, Kirbyville.

In Mike’s memory, donations may be made to Brittain Cemetery, 2595 Blackwell Ferry Rd., Kirbyville, MO 65679.