Michael “Mike” Scott Westbrook, 54, of Lumberton, died Thursday, March 26, 2020. He was born on February 6, 1966, in Port Arthur, to Clara Smith Westbrook and Ronnie Mills Westbrook.
Mike Westbrook taught for thirty years in southeast Texas. His career as a band director carried him to the Evadale, Port Arthur, Lumberton, Port Neches-Groves and the Hardin-Jefferson school districts. Twenty-eight of these years were as a band director. He served two of his ten years in Lumberton as an Assistant Principal.
His bands achieved great success in each district in which he taught. The programs grew in quality and numbers under his guidance. His love for students was evident and their love for him was evident in the way they performed. Mike’s goal was for them to constantly improve and to always be the best they can be. They always carried themselves well and represented their schools in a first-class manner. He expected nothing less from them than he expected from himself.
Mike was a loving family man and friend. Those who knew him were blessed to have him be a part of their lives. He was always the first one to offer help, a smile, or an encouraging word. His laughter was contagious, and his smile was infectious. While we will all miss him greatly, we can all remember him and know that our lives are better because of him. Heaven has gained a new first chair trumpet and we will all see you soon.
Mike was well respected among his peers and was always willing to help when asked. He was a regular volunteer at TMEA activities at the local, area, and state levels. His contributions to music education are many and he will be missed greatly by all those who knew him.
Survivors include his wife, Karen Westbrook; children, Mollie Westbrook, Aaron Westbrook, and Ella Westbrook; father, Ronnie Westbrook of Nederland; siblings, Amy Nelson and her husband, Steven, of Nederland; and Stephen Westbrook and his wife, Ronna, of Jasper; mother-in-law, Barbara Cummings of Lumberton; bother-in-law, Kevin Cummings and his wife, Cindy, of Kountze; and nieces and nephews, Sarah Nelson, Robyn Nelson, Kevin Nelson, Tristan Westbrook, and Koby Cummings. He is preceded in death by his mother, Clara Westbrook; and grandparents, Eula and Ernest Smith, and Jewel and Carl Westbrook.
Mike’s memorial will be held at a later date under the direction of Broussard’s, 490 Cemetery Road, Silsbee.
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