Beloved Texas Band Director Mike Westbrook succumbed to the coronavirus on March 26, 2020.

Sadly, the coronavirus has claimed the life of yet another beloved educator. Mike Westbrook, a teacher, administrator, and Director of Bands at Hardin Jefferson High School in Sour Lake, Texas. At the time of his passing on March 26, he was 54 years old.

Mike was born on February 6, 1966, in Port Arthur, Jefferson County, Texas. He earned his Bachelor’s degree in Music from Lamar University in Beaumont, Texas, in 1990. While there, the respected musician participated in Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia and Kappa Kappa Psi. In 2005, Mike completed the requirements for his Master’s degree in Educational Leadership, also from Lamar University.

After his college graduation, Mike inaugurated his career as a music educator at Lumberton Independent School District (ISD), where he worked from 1994 to 2002. He also served as the Assistant Principal there. After eight years, Mike accepted a position at Port Neches Groves, where he worked for three years as the school’s Band Director. Since 2007, Mike served as the Director of Bands at Hardin-Jefferson High School in Hardin County, Texas. In total, Mike’s career in educator has spanned 30 years.

“I worked with him when I was the Assistant Principal at Hardin-Jefferson for eight years,” expressed Gretchen Scoggins, Communications Director at Lumberton ISD. “Every day with Mike – he is a hilarious bubbly personality, who absolutely adores kids,” she recalled.

In addition to his work as a music educator, Mike also logged in 30 years as a trumpet player in the Symphony of Southeast Texas. He also played with the horn band Eazy and the Spindletop Brass Quintet. In addition to the trumpet, Mike could play all woodwind, brass, and percussion instruments. He volunteered regularly at activities sponsored by the Texas Music Education Association (TMEA) at the local, area, and state levels.

To read Mike’s obituary, click on this link at Broussard’s Mortuary.