Michael Kendrick Brimage

Michael Kendrick Brimage, 53, passed away on December 29, 2021 in Arlington, Texas after a fierce battle against cancer.

Michael was born on January 29,1968 in Dallas, Texas. His father was in the Coast Guard, so his early years were spent in several locations, including Coos Bay, Oregon, and Corpus Christi. He lived through Hurricane Celia while living on the bay at Corpus! His family also spent a few years in Memphis before returning to Texas to live in Arlington. As a child, he loved visiting his grandparent’s lake house at Cedar Creek Lake where he was introduced to many games, including Bocce ball. He also developed his keen interest in music, especially 70s and 80’s rock and roll. Michael enjoyed football, his drums and playing with his dog, Phlash. He is a survivor of an accident that caused a traumatic brain injury in August, 1985. His spirit and will to live left an impression on all who met him for the rest of his life.

He graduated from Arlington Martin High School and Tarrant County Junior College. He also clocked over 20 years at Kroger on Green Oaks and Little Road where he made many customers into friends. In 1994, at a Texas Head Injury Conference, he looked around the room and spied a sweet young thing, Hope Rutledge, walked up and started singing, successfully taking her off the market. It was love at first sight. Hope and Michael were frequently spotted around town and at many Head Injury Camps for the next three decades. They were married on October 24, 2009.

Michael loved all kinds of music, lip synching, Bocce Ball, games, road trips, long walks, visiting with friends, and the Texas Tech Red Raiders. It is no surprise he waited to leave us until after their 2021 Liberty Bowl win!

Michael was preceded in death by parents Roger Michael Brimage and Charlene Rae Ricketts, stepfather Frank Ricketts, Grandparents Ray and Alice Elliott, Roger Brimage, Joanne “Jodie” Brimage and Phyllis Brimage.

Michael is survived by his beloved wife, Hope Rutledge Brimage of Pantego, stepmother Diane Brimage, half brother and sister, Spencer Brimage and Jenna Brimage, step brother Geoffrey Rickets (Chris); step sister Kaye Hill (Kevin), Aunts Norinne Stumph, Cynthia Brimage Guy (William) and Uncles Ray Elliott (Cindy), Douglas Brimage (Janie) and Steven Brimage (Kim). He is also survived by in-laws Tom and Nancy Rutledge and many close cousins and friends and the entire extended Brimage, Elliott and Rutledge families.

Hope would like to thank Ray Elliott and Tom and Nancy Rutledge for the extraordinary support they provided over the last two years full of doctor’s appointments, treatments and their consequences, as Michael travelled though his cancer journey.

We will celebrate Michael’s life at Wade Family Funeral Home in Arlington, Texas on his birthdate, January 29, 2022 at 2 pm.

In Lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to help support Michael’s favorite camp for Traumatic Brain Injury Survivors. Mountain High Foundation, PO Box 467 Winnsboro, Texas 75494. In honor of Michael, please take a long walk and see how many strangers you can make into friends.